Geraldine Mary McDonald

Geraldine Mary McDonald, beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and artist, passed away on May 1, 2026, at the age of 86. Born on April 20, 1940, in Portland, Oregon, Geraldine lived her life between the communities of Portland and Garibaldi, Oregon, where she built a legacy defined by love, resilience, and creativity.

Geraldine was born to Agnes Clara McDonald and Fletcher Marten McDonald and was the cherished sister of Constance Clara Mark. Above all else, Gerry tried to meet the demands of motherhood. She worked hard to provide a home and took immense pride in the family she built.

A woman of remarkable strength, Gerry faced cancer not once but twice and won both times. That same fierce determination showed up in every corner of her life. She was known for her stubborn, unshakeable spirit, her commitment to healthy living, and her love of growing her own herbs for wellness. She prided herself in living an alcohol and drug free life. She had a gift for finding beauty and treasure through thrifting, and she devoted countless hours to the care of her own mother, demonstrating the same care she gave to everyone she loved. Earlier in life she won some competitive drawing contests due to her artistic ability. Geraldine was a talented artist whose drawings reflected depth and an eye for beauty. Her dogs were her faithful companions. She also enjoyed singing, crocheting, riding her bike, dancing, and playing the guitar, ukulele, and harmonica.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Agnes Clara McDonald and Fletcher Marten McDonald, her sister Constance Clara Mark and her daughter Rebekah Dreske. She is survived by her children, Debra Dreske, Tim Dreske, Benita Massey, Naomi Tatum, and Zachery Jones, and her thirteen grandchildren, Dabria Bradford, Ronald Wilson Jr., Laurence Ramsay, Kiana Dreske, Amanda DuChene, Stephanie Whitson, Tony Dockery, Mollie Jo Massey, Nina Massey, Joey Tatum, Braxton Tatum, Azaria Jones, and Zakiya Jones.

Geraldine Mary McDonald leaves behind a strong, loving, and resilient family. She will be deeply missed and long remembered.