Beatrice June McDonald

Beatrice (Bea) June McDonald died peacefully on February 22, 2019. Cause of death was complications from a stroke. So ended the life of a kind and graceful woman, who had much to say for herself and a great deal to offer. She was 95.

Bea started her journey through life on March 15, 1923 in Battleground, Saskatchewan, Canada. She was the only child born to Margaret (Lawrance) and William L. Clark. When she was three years old the Clark family moved to Washington State, where her father's construction and engineering skills were much in demand. As a result, her early years were spent living in different project locations around the state, most notably Concrete during the construction of the Lower Baker Dam and Holden when the copper mine was being brought up to modern standards.

Bea had good memories about growing up in such rugged, frontier communities. However, as she progressed to higher grades her parents decided to send her to live with her grandmother in Hollywood Hills near Woodinville, WA. Here she was able to attend Bothell High School and it was here she met the love of her life, Frank McDonald.

Bea graduated in 1941 and moved to Pullman WA. She had received a scholarship to attend Washington State University and was further able to offset living expenses by staying with family friends. Getting out on her own and facing a future full of possibilities were exhilarating prospects to her. But like so many of her generation, World War II would intervene and write a different script.

That change in plans came in 1942 when Frank McDonald, who was recovering from an injury suffered in aerial combat over the Coral Sea, returned to Seattle for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Bea was there to welcome him home and the high school sweethearts were married shortly thereafter. The reality of war made clear what was truly important to them. And for the rest of their lives they would be affectionately referred to as FnB.

Marriage to Navy Lt. Frank McDonald meant Bea had to assume the duties of an officer's wife; a job often referred to as one of the hardest in the military. She accompanied him to San Diego where they lived in military quarters until he was redeployed to the Pacific Fleet. After his departure, Bea drove their car back to Washington State. According to her accounts, this journey was a rather adventurous, even scandalous undertaking for a 20-year-old woman at that time. For the remainder of the war Bea lived with her in-laws, Joseph and Nellie McDonald, in Bothell, WA. During this time, Bea managed to save every penny Frank sent home, so upon his return they were able to put a down payment on their first house along Princeton Way in Seattle.

The Princeton Way house became the center of many warm FnB family memories. Here their children, Doug (1945), Dean (1949), and Marilyn (1952), spent most of their growing up years. And it was during this time that Bea firmly established her credentials as an officer's wife within the Seattle naval community, since Frank had continued his service to this country as a reservist, attaining the rank of captain before retiring in 1962. Then in 1964, the FnB family moved to a house, which Bea helped design, in Bellevue/Medina, WA. Later, after the kids had grown and flown, they moved into a Kirkland condominium. Bea continued to live there after Frank passed away in 2011, and did so up until her stroke in 2018, which necessitated a transferal to assisted living facilities.

Bea was truly the "other half" in her marriage. She was the one who managed their family life when Frank was away on reservist duties. And she was the one who kept their family on an even track during the regular but extended absences required by Frank's 30-year career as a commercial airline pilot. In addition, she was an active and productive member of her community. Most notable were her long term, volunteer commitments to the Ryther Center for Children and Youth as well as the Children's Orthopedic Hospital. Yet, none of these obligations kept Bea and Frank from enjoying the time they did have together. Among other things, they travelled extensively and spent even more time at "The Beach," the family's summer place on Puget Sound (Tulare). Their many happy memories here with family and life-long friends spanned over 50 years and included an annual reunion on the 4th of July. Perhaps a note Frank wrote on a valentine for Bea says it best: "We are responsible for this mess, and we are still messing around."

Bea was one of those people who did what was expected of her and did it well. She upheld conventional standards and expected the same from others. Afterall, she had been raised in part by a Victorian grandmother. Yet, there was always a bit of fun about her and this trait, above all, endeared her to family and friends. And it was also this light-hearted, joyful side that allowed her to expand and embrace a world that changed dramatically over the course of her 95-year lifespan. In fact, she lived her life very much better than expected and certainly better than most. And to that she would no doubt say, raising an eyebrow and shrugging a shoulder: "well, don't ya know."

Beatrice June McDonald is survived by her children Doug McDonald, Dean McDonald (wife Sherry), and Marilyn Thompkins, as well as many nieces, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank. Remembrances are welcome and may be sent to the Ryther Center for Children and Youth and the Seattle Art Museum.