Cynthia Fisher MacDonald

Cynthia MacDonald, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on August 5, 2024 at Vantage Point Retirement Community. Born on February 24, 1934 in Boston, MA Cynthia grew up in Belmont, MA. She was married in Denver, CO and lived in Santa Fe, NM before making her home in Columbia, MD where she lived for 55 years.

Cynthia enjoyed a remarkable 56-year marriage to her devoted husband, Duncan MacDonald, who preceded her in death in 2019. Her life was enriched by her passions for skiing, sailing, cooking, and traveling, pursuits she embraced with enthusiasm and shared with her loved ones. Cynthia and Duncan were long time members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia.

She backpacked around Europe after receiving an associate’s degree from Lasell University. Cynthia continued traveling throughout her life from local day trips to week long adventures. Following her retirement from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) where she worked as a worker’s compensation specialist, she made numerous excursions around the world with Duncan including Europe, China, Australia, New Zealand, and Costa Rico to name just a few.

Cynthia was on multiple ski patrols and took the family on yearly ski trips to Vermont. The family spent countless hours and days relaxing on Cynthia’s parents 30’ sailboat sailing around the Chesapeake Bay and enjoyed summer vacations on Cape Cod. Cooking was a passion of hers and she had an ever-expanding list of recipes and cookbooks that she utilized while hosting friends and family.

She is survived by her three children: Heather Murphy, Kendrick MacDonald, and Malcolm MacDonald, and was a proud grandmother to six grandchildren: Emily, Hannah, Cynthia, Rachel, Zachery and Katharyn. Cynthia’s family was the center of her world, and her legacy of love and joy will be carried forward by those she cherished.

A celebration of Cynthia’s life is planned for Saturday, August 31 at 11:00 AM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 7246 Cradlerock Way Columbia, MD 21045. Family and friends are invited to gather to honor her memory and share stories of her life and the many ways she touched their hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org), Maryland Food Bank (mdfoodbank.org), or American Breast Cancer Foundation (abcf.org) in Cynthia’s memory. The family appreciates your kindness and support during this time.

Cynthia MacDonald’s, candid, feisty and adventurous spirit will be remembered with deep affection by all who had the privilege of knowing her.