Jeanann A. McDonald

Jeanann McDonald was born, raised and attended schools in Cambridge Massachusetts. She loved growing up near Harvard Square and told wonderful stories about the people and experiences of living on Dana Street. Jeanann's strong work ethic began at 13 years old with her first job at the local '5 & 10'. After graduating Cambridge Latin High School, she pursued business courses and later became a buyer of electronics for Baird Atomic Industries. This was an uncommon and prestigious role for a young woman in the 1950s. She met her future husband, Bob McDonald there when he interviewed for a summer job. She told her sisters she met the man she was going to marry, and indeed they married in 1959. Jeanann worked there until just before her first child was born, and spent 16 years at home in Danvers raising three children and volunteering at St Mary's School. As the kids got older, Jeanann returned to her career and spent many years as state employee and administrative assistant for Hogan Regional Center in Danvers. She took pride in her career and accomplishments and had many good friends at Hogan. Jeanann exceled at fundraising for the United Way and received awards in Boston along with a thank you letter from Coretta Scott King which made her very proud. Jeanann and Bob were dedicated to Catholicism, their prayer groups, and volunteering. They served meals at St Vincent de Paul and My Brother's Table in Lynn, volunteered with Birthright and Pro Life, and cherished their community at Carmelite Chapel. They supported some children in other countries with monthly stipends to help them receive food, clothing and education. Jeanann and Bob spent decades of happy summers at West Beach in Beverly Farms and remained dedicated to their gym workouts even in their later years. They loved to take road trips and train adventures throughout the United States In 2004, Jeanann and Bob began sharing time between their Danvers home and a new home in South Portland, Maine where they made new friends and enjoyed more time with family. Jeanann was very youthful for her age, loved music and dancing, dressing up, and getting to know people. She made friends easily and enjoyed socializing and storytelling. Jeanann was predeceased by her parents, John and Gertrude (Murphy) Hogan, her sisters Phyllis Hogan and Trudy Bowker, brother Jack Hogan, grandson Ryan Mathieu and beloved husband Bob McDonald. Loved and missed forever by daughters Robin and son in law Jared Payton, Dana McDonald Oxaal and son in law Adrian Oxaal, son Shawn McDonald, grandson Devin Ivy, niece and nephew Ann and Steve McDonald, cousin Grace Darling Brady, and a myriad of family and friends. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10AM on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at St Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Rd., Scarborough, Maine. All are welcome to attend. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland. Donations in Jeanann's name can be made to Preble Street Resource Center or The Family Restored.org in Portland Maine.