Margaret MacDonald

Margaret Isabel Cooper MacDonald, 98, passed away with family at her side on February 4, 2022. She was born in Tynemouth, England, in 1923 to the late Captain and Mrs. John N. Cooper. She spent her first ten years in England until her family moved to Glasgow, Scotland. On her first day there, she met Iain MacDonald in the neighborhood park. They grew up together; and while he served in India and Myanmar (Burma) during the war, Margaret became a primary school teacher. She taught evacuated Glasgow children in Aberfoyle and was later assigned to Kennedy Street School in Glasgow until she and Iain married in 1949. They had three children there and in 1958 immigrated to Greenville, South Carolina, where they raised their family and were actively involved in the community.

After their children were grown, they joined the Greenville Scottish Country Dance Group where Margaret became the instructor. After her husband’s death, she took up line dancing and made many cherished friends at Senior Action and LifeWise. Although she never forgot her British roots or lost her English accent, she became an American citizen in 2004 and proudly voted in elections. As a long-time Furman University supporter, she attended Furman football and basketball games for over fifty years, always dressed in purple.

Surviving are a daughter, Frances Margaret M. D. Villa and her husband Jose; and a son, Norman Iain MacDonald and his wife Phyllis, all of the area. Grandchildren are Jennifer Durovchic of Atlanta, GA, Kevin MacDonald of Greenville, Jon MacDonald and his wife, Tania of Greenville, Kristen M. and her husband, Kevin White of New Orleans, LA, and Colleen Headley and her husband, Mike of Cary, NC. Great-grandchildren include Jameson MacDonald; Kenna, Nora and Iain MacDonald; Landon and Jacob White; and Mila and Colin Headley.

She was predeceased by a son Roderick Neil MacDonald, infant twins Andrew Drummond and David Cooper MacDonald, and her brother Dr. John H. Cooper of Halifax, NS, and Victoria, BC, Canada.

She was the heart of her family, a dear friend to many, and an enthralling storyteller to all who met her. She will be sorely missed.

Visitation will be at Mackey Funerals at Century Drive on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at 10am, followed by the funeral service in the Mackey Chapel at 11.30am, and burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Please note that the family respectfully requests masks be worn.

Because Margaret was a long-time supporter of animal welfare organizations, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Greenville Humane Society made in her memory would be welcome. Online condolences may be made at www.mackeycenturydrive.com.