Lorraine McDonald

Mary Lorraine McDonald, 84, of Newhall, California, peacefully passed away on the morning of August 27, 2023 at 7:35am. She passed away after a short, 9 week battle, with an aggressive form of liver cancer.

Lorraine McDonald (as most people know her) was born on March 18, 1939 to Lorenzo and Mary Watson in Glendale, California. Lorenzo was a truck driver in California and Mary stayed home to raise the four kids. Lorenzo was a cotton farmer in Arizona for a period of time and then he bought a farm along the Snake river in Payette, Idaho in 1956. Lorraine spent her high school years in Payette, Idaho where she graduated from Payette High School in 1957. Next, she pursued a degree in education from Brigham Young University, graduating with a Bachelors in Science degree in 1961.

After graduation, Lorraine taught elementary school in Portland, Oregon from 1961-1962. Then, she went on to teaching 4th grade in Salt Lake City, Utah from 1962-1963. At this point she decided to take a break from teaching and go on a mission for the Mormon church. She served her mission on the Western States Mission in Colorado from June 1963 through December 1964. When she returned from her mission, she went right back to teaching again in Utah. Lorraine, known for her love of travel and sense of adventure, took a job at Waianae Elementary school in Waianae, Hawaii from 1966-1968. Lorraine then moved to Hawthorne, California and taught there from 1970-1974. During this time she got married and then went on maternity leave in 1974. Her only son, Dale McDonald was born on May 15, 1974. Lorraine loved being a mother, but she also loved teaching kids. She spent the next 20 years teaching at Castaic Elementary school in Castaic, California from 1984-2004.

After 30 years of teaching elementary school, Lorraine finally retired in 2004. She loved teaching and working with children. It was her true calling and passion in life. Lorraine also enjoyed working as the church librarian, was involved with the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and loved church genealogy work. During her retirement, Lorraine had more time to travel, attend church functions, care for her cats, and spend time with her brother and sister and all her nieces and nephews, which she truly loved and adored.

Lorraine was predeceased by her parents Lorenzo and Mary Watson, and older brother, Franklin Watson. Lorraine is survived by her son, Dale McDonald, his wife Kathryn, and her three grandchildren; DJ McDonald, Josh McDonald, and Natalie McDonald.

Services will be held at the Mormon church at 24915 Peachland Ave. Newhall, CA 91321. There will be a viewing at 12:30pm, service at 1:30pm, and she will be laid to rest at Eternal Valley Memorial Park at 3:00pm.