Margaret Jean Mcdonald

Margaret Jean McDonald was born September 9, 1928 to Jean Harms Kirby and Lelias Eugene Kirby, and died peacefully at home April 8, 2020 in Birmingham. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jack Pender McDonald, her sister, Monterey Kirby Hiett, and brother-in-law, Dr. Tee Hansford Hiett.

As a child, she attended Barrett School and Woodlawn High School in Birmingham. She graduated from The University of Alabama with a BS degree in Education in 1949 and a MS degree in Education with Honors in 1951. She was a Phi Mu at UA. In 1950/51, she was President of the women’s student body. In the early 1960’s she taught Early Education on Alabama Public Television. For many years, she served as teacher and then Headmistress at Highlands (Day) School, where she combined her love for children and innovative education. She was the first to implement computers into the school, installing Apple computers in the early1980s, and her passion for the arts was evident in how she made arts programs an integral part of the curriculum. In 2019, the Highlands School honored her by putting her name on the student study gallery. After retiring from Highlands School, she worked for Eastern Airlines in their ambassador program, taking travel agents on trips around the country.

An avid traveler, she and her husband enjoyed visits to Europe, Asia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Central America, as well as spending time in their vacation home in Panama City Beach, FL. A lifelong Methodist and most recently a member of Canterbury Methodist Church. Margaret Jean loved Broadway shows, cooking, crossword puzzles, card games, and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

A private interment will take place when quarantine restrictions allow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Highlands School, 4901 Old Leeds Road, Birmingham, AL 35213 or to your favorite charity.