Patricia McDonald

Patricia Ann Callahan McDonald, age 92, was called home to the arms of the Lord on April 18, 2021.

Patricia was the beloved wife and best friend of the late Francis J. McDonald, before his passing in 2017. Their marriage of 59 years was a testament of enduring love and commitment.

Patricia was born and raised in Troy where she attended St. Mary’s School. After earning her bachelor’s degree from The College of St. Rose, she went to SUNY Albany where she completed a master’s degree in education. Early on, she followed her husband’s Marine Corp career to Maine and California, but her heart was always in Troy, and she was happy to return.  Patricia was an elementary teacher in the Troy School District for over 30 years, and it was there that she met some of her closest friends. After she retired in 1990, her love of teaching and children brought her back again to the Troy schools for several more years.

Patricia was a devout Catholic and long-time communicant of Sacred Heart Church where she belonged to the Ladies Altar Rosary Society and taught in the religious education program. She was a Eucharistic minister, delivering communion to the homebound. Patricia attended exercise classes for many years at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Samaritan and St. Mary’s Hospitals where the staff was so kind and helpful. She was an avid writer of cards and letters to her family and friends. Patricia filled many journals and scrapbooks with family memories and stories from long ago. She was a wonderful baker who rarely followed a recipe. She loved vacationing with her family in Ogunquit, Maine, especially walking on the Marginal Way and riding the trolley. Patricia enjoyed knitting, puzzles, word searches, reading biographies, and watching QVC. Her wonderful sense of humor and many stories made her a joy to be around. Patricia was a passionate and loyal champion to those she loved.

Patricia is survived by her beloved children, Erin (John) Mack of Troy, NY, David McDonald of Troy, NY and Kevin (Kelly) McDonald of Allen, Texas; 3 precious grandchildren, Emily (Chris) Hass, Jack McDonald, and Will McDonald, her sister-in-law and cousin Anne McDonald of Bethel, Connecticut, her cousin Mary Kay (Steve) Sgambati of Mechanicville, many nieces and nephews, her dear friends Margie, Marion, Joan, and Maureen, her teacher’s lunch group, and her friends at Sacred Heart Church who have been so kind. In addition to her husband Frank, Patricia is predeceased by her son James McDonald, her brother William Callahan, and her mother and stepfather, Mary and Sam Gillespie.

Thank you to Dr. Charles Sulzman and Dr. Scott Morris, for the gentle and caring way that you always talked to Patricia, never making her feel ‘elderly.’ She was fortunate to have you both by her side for so many years.

A Mass of Christian burial in celebration of Patricia’s life will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 310 Spring Avenue in Troy, on Friday, April 23rd at 10am. Interment will follow at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.