Mary S. "Molly" MacDonald
July 29, 1938 - October 28, 2020
Mary S. "Molly" MacDonald of Bayside, WI, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020. She was born on July 29, 1938 in Springfield, IL, to George S. and Jean (nee Mainland) Speer. She grew up in Oak Park, Illinois with her younger brother George S. "Joey."
From an early age, Molly was curious, creative and fiercely independent. Early in WWII, at the age of three, she wanted to become a member of the newly established Women's Army Corps. At her request, her parents bought her a WAC uniform. She promptly stated she could now "go down to the corner store to buy a newspaper on her own." During her childhood, Molly was very active with Girl Scouts, both as a scout and a leader. She loved camping and cherished her summers at Camp Lone Tree. She excelled as a neighborhood baseball player and dreamed of playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was very involved with activities at the First United Church of Oak Park. She sang in the choir and played in the handbell choir. Molly was a graduate of Oak Park-River Forest High School and of Eureka College. She loved her years at Eureka College. She was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and made lifelong friendships there. She was a loyal alumna and supporter of Eureka College. During her college summer breaks, she worked at Illinois Psychological Services. She met William B. MacDonald while at Eureka College. They married at First United Church of Oak Park and moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin where Bill pursued his career as an engineer. There, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Melinda Jean. Following a divorce, Molly moved with Melinda to Shorewood, Wisconsin.
Molly pursued a career in vocational guidance with Jewish Vocational Services while earning a Master of Science in Educational Psychology at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. After volunteering at the United Performing Arts Fund and helping to lead the annual UPAF Fundraiser, she was inspired to begin a new career path in fund development. She was employed by the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and then joined the staff at UPAF. Later, as a private consultant, she worked with American Lung Association, Visiting Nurses Association and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
Molly's life was enriched by her commitment to volunteer activities, from leadership roles at Plymouth Church and UPAF to mentoring roles at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. She volunteered as a poll worker for Whitefish Bay, WI for many years. She recorded books for the visually impaired. She was a great supporter of medical, animal health and welfare, and arts organizations. She regularly enjoyed the Milwaukee Symphony, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Florentine Opera. She sang with the Bel Canto Chorus.
Molly was never bored, and her mind was never still. She loved books. She was an avid reader of a variety of subjects. She had a perpetual curiosity and loved learning - from history to how things worked, autobiographies of a range of people, creative writing and poetry.
Molly was immensely creative, a true artist at heart. She engaged in a wide variety of classes, including poetry, pottery and welding! She was an avid photographer from an early age. She had a keen eye and the rare ability to capture a perfect image. She could make the mundane beautiful. After additional classes in photography, she learned to develop her own photographs in her dark room.
Molly loved the use of language. She enjoyed a clever turn of phrase. She appreciated words and used them well, both in her spoken and written words. She was witty, insightful and observant in her writing. She was a wonderful speaker with a rich and dynamic voice. She was well known for her hearty and robust laugh.
Molly was a lover of all animals, especially dogs. Over the years, she had many canine companions. She enriched their lives with love and devotion, and they matched her love with loyalty and closeness. Molly delighted in the antics of all living creatures. She was a devoted benefactor of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, WI, the Morris Animal Foundation in Denver, CO and the National Wildlife Federation.
She loved her extended family and her lifelong friends. Molly easily made friends. Wherever Molly lived, she developed wonderful and lasting friendships with her neighbors. She took an interest in other people's lives and genuinely cared about their wellbeing.
She was a Patriot and truly loved her country. She shared her love of her daughter with others and was a very proud mother.
Molly is predeceased by her parents George S. and Jean M. Speer, niece Amy (nee Speer) Samos, former husband William B. MacDonald. She is survived by her daughter, Melinda "Mindy" MacDonald Frenzen (Darold F. Frenzen) of Kansas City, MO, brother George S "Joey" Speer, Jr. (Jean "Deedee" Brooke Speer) of Valley Center, CA, nephew George S. "Scott" Speer III (Patricia J. Speer) and great nephew David William Speer and great niece Amber Elizabeth Speer.
At Molly's request, her cremains will be spread in the Memorial Garden at First United Church of Oak Park, IL. A private service for family will be held at a later date. For safety concerns, a Zoom Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 29. To receive a Zoom funeral invitation, please email [email protected]
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Molly's name may be made to Eureka College, 300 E. Collage Ave, Eureka, IL 61530 or to Morris Animal Foundation, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 174A, Denver, CO 80246.
https://www.feerickfuneralhome.com/obituary/mary-s-molly-macdonald?fh_id=14932
July 29, 1938 - October 28, 2020
Mary S. "Molly" MacDonald of Bayside, WI, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020. She was born on July 29, 1938 in Springfield, IL, to George S. and Jean (nee Mainland) Speer. She grew up in Oak Park, Illinois with her younger brother George S. "Joey."
From an early age, Molly was curious, creative and fiercely independent. Early in WWII, at the age of three, she wanted to become a member of the newly established Women's Army Corps. At her request, her parents bought her a WAC uniform. She promptly stated she could now "go down to the corner store to buy a newspaper on her own." During her childhood, Molly was very active with Girl Scouts, both as a scout and a leader. She loved camping and cherished her summers at Camp Lone Tree. She excelled as a neighborhood baseball player and dreamed of playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was very involved with activities at the First United Church of Oak Park. She sang in the choir and played in the handbell choir. Molly was a graduate of Oak Park-River Forest High School and of Eureka College. She loved her years at Eureka College. She was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and made lifelong friendships there. She was a loyal alumna and supporter of Eureka College. During her college summer breaks, she worked at Illinois Psychological Services. She met William B. MacDonald while at Eureka College. They married at First United Church of Oak Park and moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin where Bill pursued his career as an engineer. There, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Melinda Jean. Following a divorce, Molly moved with Melinda to Shorewood, Wisconsin.
Molly pursued a career in vocational guidance with Jewish Vocational Services while earning a Master of Science in Educational Psychology at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. After volunteering at the United Performing Arts Fund and helping to lead the annual UPAF Fundraiser, she was inspired to begin a new career path in fund development. She was employed by the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and then joined the staff at UPAF. Later, as a private consultant, she worked with American Lung Association, Visiting Nurses Association and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
Molly's life was enriched by her commitment to volunteer activities, from leadership roles at Plymouth Church and UPAF to mentoring roles at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. She volunteered as a poll worker for Whitefish Bay, WI for many years. She recorded books for the visually impaired. She was a great supporter of medical, animal health and welfare, and arts organizations. She regularly enjoyed the Milwaukee Symphony, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Florentine Opera. She sang with the Bel Canto Chorus.
Molly was never bored, and her mind was never still. She loved books. She was an avid reader of a variety of subjects. She had a perpetual curiosity and loved learning - from history to how things worked, autobiographies of a range of people, creative writing and poetry.
Molly was immensely creative, a true artist at heart. She engaged in a wide variety of classes, including poetry, pottery and welding! She was an avid photographer from an early age. She had a keen eye and the rare ability to capture a perfect image. She could make the mundane beautiful. After additional classes in photography, she learned to develop her own photographs in her dark room.
Molly loved the use of language. She enjoyed a clever turn of phrase. She appreciated words and used them well, both in her spoken and written words. She was witty, insightful and observant in her writing. She was a wonderful speaker with a rich and dynamic voice. She was well known for her hearty and robust laugh.
Molly was a lover of all animals, especially dogs. Over the years, she had many canine companions. She enriched their lives with love and devotion, and they matched her love with loyalty and closeness. Molly delighted in the antics of all living creatures. She was a devoted benefactor of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, WI, the Morris Animal Foundation in Denver, CO and the National Wildlife Federation.
She loved her extended family and her lifelong friends. Molly easily made friends. Wherever Molly lived, she developed wonderful and lasting friendships with her neighbors. She took an interest in other people's lives and genuinely cared about their wellbeing.
She was a Patriot and truly loved her country. She shared her love of her daughter with others and was a very proud mother.
Molly is predeceased by her parents George S. and Jean M. Speer, niece Amy (nee Speer) Samos, former husband William B. MacDonald. She is survived by her daughter, Melinda "Mindy" MacDonald Frenzen (Darold F. Frenzen) of Kansas City, MO, brother George S "Joey" Speer, Jr. (Jean "Deedee" Brooke Speer) of Valley Center, CA, nephew George S. "Scott" Speer III (Patricia J. Speer) and great nephew David William Speer and great niece Amber Elizabeth Speer.
At Molly's request, her cremains will be spread in the Memorial Garden at First United Church of Oak Park, IL. A private service for family will be held at a later date. For safety concerns, a Zoom Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 29. To receive a Zoom funeral invitation, please email [email protected]
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Molly's name may be made to Eureka College, 300 E. Collage Ave, Eureka, IL 61530 or to Morris Animal Foundation, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 174A, Denver, CO 80246.
https://www.feerickfuneralhome.com/obituary/mary-s-molly-macdonald?fh_id=14932
Mary S. "Molly" MacDonald
July 29, 1938 - October 28, 2020
Mary S. "Molly" MacDonald of Bayside, WI, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020. She was born on July 29, 1938 in Springfield, IL, to George S. and Jean (nee Mainland) Speer. She grew up in Oak Park, Illinois with her younger brother George S. "Joey."
From an early age, Molly was curious, creative and fiercely independent. Early in WWII, at the age of three, she wanted to become a member of the newly established Women's Army Corps. At her request, her parents bought her a WAC uniform. She promptly stated she could now "go down to the corner store to buy a newspaper on her own." During her childhood, Molly was very active with Girl Scouts, both as a scout and a leader. She loved camping and cherished her summers at Camp Lone Tree. She excelled as a neighborhood baseball player and dreamed of playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was very involved with activities at the First United Church of Oak Park. She sang in the choir and played in the handbell choir. Molly was a graduate of Oak Park-River Forest High School and of Eureka College. She loved her years at Eureka College. She was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and made lifelong friendships there. She was a loyal alumna and supporter of Eureka College. During her college summer breaks, she worked at Illinois Psychological Services. She met William B. MacDonald while at Eureka College. They married at First United Church of Oak Park and moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin where Bill pursued his career as an engineer. There, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Melinda Jean. Following a divorce, Molly moved with Melinda to Shorewood, Wisconsin.
Molly pursued a career in vocational guidance with Jewish Vocational Services while earning a Master of Science in Educational Psychology at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. After volunteering at the United Performing Arts Fund and helping to lead the annual UPAF Fundraiser, she was inspired to begin a new career path in fund development. She was employed by the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and then joined the staff at UPAF. Later, as a private consultant, she worked with American Lung Association, Visiting Nurses Association and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
Molly's life was enriched by her commitment to volunteer activities, from leadership roles at Plymouth Church and UPAF to mentoring roles at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. She volunteered as a poll worker for Whitefish Bay, WI for many years. She recorded books for the visually impaired. She was a great supporter of medical, animal health and welfare, and arts organizations. She regularly enjoyed the Milwaukee Symphony, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Florentine Opera. She sang with the Bel Canto Chorus.
Molly was never bored, and her mind was never still. She loved books. She was an avid reader of a variety of subjects. She had a perpetual curiosity and loved learning - from history to how things worked, autobiographies of a range of people, creative writing and poetry.
Molly was immensely creative, a true artist at heart. She engaged in a wide variety of classes, including poetry, pottery and welding! She was an avid photographer from an early age. She had a keen eye and the rare ability to capture a perfect image. She could make the mundane beautiful. After additional classes in photography, she learned to develop her own photographs in her dark room.
Molly loved the use of language. She enjoyed a clever turn of phrase. She appreciated words and used them well, both in her spoken and written words. She was witty, insightful and observant in her writing. She was a wonderful speaker with a rich and dynamic voice. She was well known for her hearty and robust laugh.
Molly was a lover of all animals, especially dogs. Over the years, she had many canine companions. She enriched their lives with love and devotion, and they matched her love with loyalty and closeness. Molly delighted in the antics of all living creatures. She was a devoted benefactor of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, WI, the Morris Animal Foundation in Denver, CO and the National Wildlife Federation.
She loved her extended family and her lifelong friends. Molly easily made friends. Wherever Molly lived, she developed wonderful and lasting friendships with her neighbors. She took an interest in other people's lives and genuinely cared about their wellbeing.
She was a Patriot and truly loved her country. She shared her love of her daughter with others and was a very proud mother.
Molly is predeceased by her parents George S. and Jean M. Speer, niece Amy (nee Speer) Samos, former husband William B. MacDonald. She is survived by her daughter, Melinda "Mindy" MacDonald Frenzen (Darold F. Frenzen) of Kansas City, MO, brother George S "Joey" Speer, Jr. (Jean "Deedee" Brooke Speer) of Valley Center, CA, nephew George S. "Scott" Speer III (Patricia J. Speer) and great nephew David William Speer and great niece Amber Elizabeth Speer.
At Molly's request, her cremains will be spread in the Memorial Garden at First United Church of Oak Park, IL. A private service for family will be held at a later date. For safety concerns, a Zoom Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 29. To receive a Zoom funeral invitation, please email [email protected]
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Molly's name may be made to Eureka College, 300 E. Collage Ave, Eureka, IL 61530 or to Morris Animal Foundation, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 174A, Denver, CO 80246.
https://www.feerickfuneralhome.com/obituary/mary-s-molly-macdonald?fh_id=14932
July 29, 1938 - October 28, 2020
Mary S. "Molly" MacDonald of Bayside, WI, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2020. She was born on July 29, 1938 in Springfield, IL, to George S. and Jean (nee Mainland) Speer. She grew up in Oak Park, Illinois with her younger brother George S. "Joey."
From an early age, Molly was curious, creative and fiercely independent. Early in WWII, at the age of three, she wanted to become a member of the newly established Women's Army Corps. At her request, her parents bought her a WAC uniform. She promptly stated she could now "go down to the corner store to buy a newspaper on her own." During her childhood, Molly was very active with Girl Scouts, both as a scout and a leader. She loved camping and cherished her summers at Camp Lone Tree. She excelled as a neighborhood baseball player and dreamed of playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was very involved with activities at the First United Church of Oak Park. She sang in the choir and played in the handbell choir. Molly was a graduate of Oak Park-River Forest High School and of Eureka College. She loved her years at Eureka College. She was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and made lifelong friendships there. She was a loyal alumna and supporter of Eureka College. During her college summer breaks, she worked at Illinois Psychological Services. She met William B. MacDonald while at Eureka College. They married at First United Church of Oak Park and moved to Port Washington, Wisconsin where Bill pursued his career as an engineer. There, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Melinda Jean. Following a divorce, Molly moved with Melinda to Shorewood, Wisconsin.
Molly pursued a career in vocational guidance with Jewish Vocational Services while earning a Master of Science in Educational Psychology at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee. After volunteering at the United Performing Arts Fund and helping to lead the annual UPAF Fundraiser, she was inspired to begin a new career path in fund development. She was employed by the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and then joined the staff at UPAF. Later, as a private consultant, she worked with American Lung Association, Visiting Nurses Association and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.
Molly's life was enriched by her commitment to volunteer activities, from leadership roles at Plymouth Church and UPAF to mentoring roles at ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. She volunteered as a poll worker for Whitefish Bay, WI for many years. She recorded books for the visually impaired. She was a great supporter of medical, animal health and welfare, and arts organizations. She regularly enjoyed the Milwaukee Symphony, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Florentine Opera. She sang with the Bel Canto Chorus.
Molly was never bored, and her mind was never still. She loved books. She was an avid reader of a variety of subjects. She had a perpetual curiosity and loved learning - from history to how things worked, autobiographies of a range of people, creative writing and poetry.
Molly was immensely creative, a true artist at heart. She engaged in a wide variety of classes, including poetry, pottery and welding! She was an avid photographer from an early age. She had a keen eye and the rare ability to capture a perfect image. She could make the mundane beautiful. After additional classes in photography, she learned to develop her own photographs in her dark room.
Molly loved the use of language. She enjoyed a clever turn of phrase. She appreciated words and used them well, both in her spoken and written words. She was witty, insightful and observant in her writing. She was a wonderful speaker with a rich and dynamic voice. She was well known for her hearty and robust laugh.
Molly was a lover of all animals, especially dogs. Over the years, she had many canine companions. She enriched their lives with love and devotion, and they matched her love with loyalty and closeness. Molly delighted in the antics of all living creatures. She was a devoted benefactor of the School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, WI, the Morris Animal Foundation in Denver, CO and the National Wildlife Federation.
She loved her extended family and her lifelong friends. Molly easily made friends. Wherever Molly lived, she developed wonderful and lasting friendships with her neighbors. She took an interest in other people's lives and genuinely cared about their wellbeing.
She was a Patriot and truly loved her country. She shared her love of her daughter with others and was a very proud mother.
Molly is predeceased by her parents George S. and Jean M. Speer, niece Amy (nee Speer) Samos, former husband William B. MacDonald. She is survived by her daughter, Melinda "Mindy" MacDonald Frenzen (Darold F. Frenzen) of Kansas City, MO, brother George S "Joey" Speer, Jr. (Jean "Deedee" Brooke Speer) of Valley Center, CA, nephew George S. "Scott" Speer III (Patricia J. Speer) and great nephew David William Speer and great niece Amber Elizabeth Speer.
At Molly's request, her cremains will be spread in the Memorial Garden at First United Church of Oak Park, IL. A private service for family will be held at a later date. For safety concerns, a Zoom Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 29. To receive a Zoom funeral invitation, please email [email protected]
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Molly's name may be made to Eureka College, 300 E. Collage Ave, Eureka, IL 61530 or to Morris Animal Foundation, 720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 174A, Denver, CO 80246.
https://www.feerickfuneralhome.com/obituary/mary-s-molly-macdonald?fh_id=14932
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