HORTENSE RAY MCDONALD

ELLSWORTH – Hortense Ray McDonald passed away peacefully April 22, 2006, at Collier’s Rehab and Living Center on Birch Avenue in Ellsworth, surrounded by her family. Hortense was born May 1, 1916, to Ernest E. and Ona M. Ray at the family home on the Bayside Road in Ellsworth. Hortense, also known as “Bo-Peep” or just “Bo” by many in her family, spent the first few weeks of her life wrapped in a blanket in a tin bread pan in the oven keeping warm. She had been born quite prematurely and weighed only two pounds. Hortense was a lifelong resident of Ellsworth, attending the United Baptist Church and graduating high school in 1935 from the Bryant E. Moore School on State Street. She then worked at various jobs in Ellsworth including the court house, a local dentist office, Moore’s Drugstore, J.J. Newberry’s, Britt’s Department Store and the last 20 years of her working career were at Mr. Paperback. During World War II, she met a handsome young man from New York City while out with friends at Luchini’s Restaurant on Main Street. The relationship continued and Arthur E. “Mac” McDonald and Hortense Ray were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church April 30, 1947. Hortense had become a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and faithfully attended that church with her family for the rest of her life. Hortense and Mac then lived and raised their two boys on 17 Young’s Ave., off Bridge Hill, in Ellsworth. Hortense was a loving wife, mother and daughter. She cared for her family as well as taking care of her mother who lived next door. For the last seven years of her life, she was a resident of Collier’s Rehab and Living Center. The staff of Collier’s became a very close and loving extended family for her and for her children. She received the very best of care and love from Collier’s and her family will be eternally grateful to the staff for all their love and concern and for all those times when they went the “extra mile” for either Hortense or for Pat and Ray. While at Collier’s, the women of the United Baptist Church came back into Hortense’s life including her in get-togethers at the church when she was able, and sending her many cards, letters and gifts. Hortense was also supported on a regular basis by the parishioners of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church who came faithfully each week to visit, pray with her and offer her communion. Hortense is survived by her sons, Patrick J. McDonald and wife, Liz Hamilton, from Dural, NSW, Australia and Ray McDonald and his wife, Susan, from Surry. She was also the very proud grandmother of five grandchildren, Kaylet Paul McDonald and his wife, Cara, from Booroobin, Queensland, Australia, Matthew Ray McDonald from Portland, Torrey Carter McDonald from Boothbay Harbor, Richard Patrick McDonald from Surry and Layne Susanne McDonald from 17 Young’s Ave., Ellsworth. She also had two “Aussie” great-grandchildren, Malu Del McDonald and Tahlia Elphia McDonald, children of Kaylet and Cara McDonald. Also surviving are special cousins, Josephine Willey from Cranston, R.I., Allen Patten and wife, Kathy, George Ray and wife, Betty, Bobby Ray and wife, “Pop,” from Ellsworth and Paul Stubing and wife, Marion, from Deer Isle. Hortense is also survived by a special sister-in-law, Barbara Ray of Ellsworth; and by her life-long friends, Katherine Carson Smith and Dot Beal, who continued to keep in touch with her to the end. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her brother, Alec E. Ray; her husband, Arthur E. McDonald; her cousin, Ray Sheedy; and her very best life-long friend, Velma Clark Ashley. Friends are invited to call 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, April 28, at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St., Ellsworth. A Mass of Christen Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 231 Main St., Ellsworth with Father Scott Mower, Celebrant. Interment will be at Remick Cemetery, Ellsworth. Those who desire may make contributions in Hortense’s memory to the Collier’s Rehab. and Nursing Center, Staff Fund, 33 Birch Ave., Ellsworth, ME 04605.