Mrs. Virginia Ann “Ginny” McDonald, nee Nemec, age 79, of Huntley, Illinois, died Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Northwestern Medicine in Huntley after an extended illness. She was born on February 1, 1944, in Evergreen Park, IL, to the late Albert Nemec and Marie Nemec, nee Kudia. Ginny earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science at Roosevelt University in 1982.
Ginny held various positions over the years, including secretary at Brown & Sharp and travel coordinator at Cosper & Cosper. She took great care in organizing social trips for Seniors. Ginny also taught arts and crafts at the Wheeling Senior Center for many years and received a special Volunteer of the Year award and ceremony, held in her honor. She was very active in her retirement community, organizing various luncheons, potlucks, summer picnics and the “New Year’s Eve at Noon” annual parties. Ginny often created artful centerpieces and decorations for the events. She was an animal lover, opening her home to special cats over the years. She is preceded in death by two older sisters.
Ginny found the love of her life, James A. McDonald, Jr., at a dance, where she was a reluctant guest, brought by her sister. How fortunate that they met there and were married for 58 happy years. Along with her husband, Ginny’s family includes her two children: daughter, Mellody McDonald of Kankakee; son, Jim McDonald III and wife, Angie, of Wauconda; granddaughter, English Pajakowski, and her husband, Jake, of Los Angeles; and grandson, Jacob Siegers, of Naperville. Ginny is survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Services will be Monday, November 20th, 2023, at St Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee-Huntley Rd., Huntley, IL 60142. Visitation will be 12pm-1pm, and Funeral Mass from 1pm-2pm. Entombment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the “Animal House Shelter of Huntley” at https://www.animalhouseshelter.com/.
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Prayers for the McDonald family in their time of sorrow, Ginny was a wonderful person and a privilege to know. All my love ❤️
To Jim, Mellody, Jim III, and Angie: We extend our condolences to you on the loss of Ginny. She served so many as she organized and served on various Andare social committees, brought food to those who were ill, bereaved, or were otherwise in need of help. She was so thoughtful when we lost our dear son, Steve. We will never forget her kindness. Family, your hearts are breaking now, but as Thomas Moore (not the better-known Thomas More) wrote, "Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal." We pray that your hearts will heal and that you will continue Ginny's legacy of helping others.
I'm truly sorry for your loss. May she lay in peace and mY her memories bring you joy and healing laughter.
Time flows only in one direction. With deep sadness I just realized that Ginny reached the end of her journey. Jim, please accept my sincere c condolences. I wish there were something I could do to help you weather this sad moment of your life. Stay strong.