Barbara Mae MacDonald

Barbara M. MacDonald, 92, of Portland, Ct. formally of Westerly, R.I. and Wethersfield, Ct. beloved mother and grandmother passed away peacefully to one of her favorite hymns “Amazing Grace” on May 2nd, 2022 at Middlesex Hospital. Barbara was born on 9/18/1929 in Norwich Ct. Daughter of the late Tyler and Gladys Gilbert Smith. She is a graduate of Westerly High School and the Connecticut State Teacher’s College in New Britain, Ct. After graduation, she taught kindergarten and elementary school in the Wethersfield school system for 25 years where she was beloved by both students and teachers. Barbara and her husband Bob eventually retired to Westerly, R.I. where they happily lived for 11 years before moving back to Connecticut and settling in Portland. Barbara was an active member of the Wethersfield United Methodist Church. She loved knitting with her church group, UCONN women’s basketball, the Red Sox and, above all, enjoying the shore at the Seaside Beach Club in Westerly R.I. during the summers.

She will dearly be missed by her son, James MacDonald and his wife Marian of Cromwell, Ct; daughter; Cynthia MacDonald of Windermere, FL, Bonnie Mulligan and her husband William of New Britain, Ct. and granddaughter Kaleigh Mulligan of Chicago, IL. She also leaves a sister Harriet Murphy and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, May 7th, from 3-6 p.m. at D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 9th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Wethersfield, 150 Prospect Street. Burial will follow at the River Bend Cemetery, 117 Beach Street, Westerly, R.I.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a memorial fund at the Wethersfield United Methodist Church in Barbara’s memory. 150 Prospect Street, Wethersfield, Ct. 06109