Patricia Belangia McDonald

Patricia was born in her parent’s home in Arapahoe, NC, in 1939, and was connected to that area throughout her life. She went to Saint Andrews High School and the College of Charleston, where she met her husband of 63 years, and graduated from Atlantic Christian College, in Wilson, NC. Together they returned to Charleson for many school reunions and kept life-long friendships with her college friends and sorority sisters from Chi Omega.

Patricia was a public-school teacher for over 40 years, continued her life of service by being active in several community organizations, and, with her husband’s endless support, frequently brought friends and family together into her decorated home for meaningful occasions.

Pat, as she was known, began her teaching career in North Carolina. She was partial to special needs children, obtained her Masters in Special Education, and taught hearing handicapped students. In South Carolina she taught sixth graders for many years at Bryson Middle School and Hughes Academy, where she was well loved by countless students and faculty. Throughout retirement she would often be approached by her ‘old’ students who told her how much she meant to them and how glad they were to have her as their teacher.

Pat enjoyed traveling internationally and to U.S. National Parks with her husband, children and grandchildren, and friends. She especially enjoyed tours of Europe, and summer trips to the coasts of Maine and North and South Carolina. She was active in several service organizations in Greenville, including the P.E.O International, the Greenville Woman’s Club, the Poinsett Woman’s Club, and the Greenville Symphony where she twice served as President of the Symphony Guild.

Pat was well known for her cooking skills and holiday gatherings with her family and friends, especially her fabulous Christmas Eve Parties which she and Dick hosted for 40 years. She was also an avid sports fan; she spread out large tailgating events at Furman football games, kept up with her Duke Blue Devils basketball team, and always followed the Atlanta Braves baseball season, sometimes waking up after a game was over asking if they won.

Pat loved to dance with her husband, they were especially impressive when they shagged to old beach music on Carolina coasts. She and Dick shared a rich history in Charleston, where she sought out beaches, old friends, and beautiful sunsets. With her notable southern charm, she brought out the best in everyone around her - family, friends, and especially 6th graders!

Pat was the daughter of Ellis and Helen Belangia of Arapahoe, NC. She was preceded in death by her sister, Libby Belangia Forster of Beaufort, NC, and her brother-in-law, Cpt. John Forster.

She is survived by her devoted and loving husband, Richard R. McDonald, Sr, her daughter Pam McDonald, her son Rick McDonald, her daughter-in-law, Lisa Reed McDonald, her grandson Weston Ellis McDonald, her grandson Reed Brown, his wife Caroline Henderson Brown, her great-granddaughter Adley Grace, her granddaughter Julia Ann McDonald and her fiancé Sam Macfie as well as her nieces, Fritzi Forster Greene, Patti Forster Taboada, and Sandy Forster Grothier.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Pelham Medical Center, Greer, SC, especially the 3rd floor team, for the friendships, dignity, love, and incredibly kind care they provided Pat in her final days.

Pat was a long-time member of Christ Church, Greenville SC.

The family will host a visitation at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, located at 1 Pine Knoll Dr, Greenville, SC 29609 on Thursday, November 14th, 2024, from 5:00-6:30PM.

The funeral will be held Friday, November 15th at 11:30AM in the main church at Christ Church Episcopal, 10 North Church St, Greenville, SC, 29601. Following the funeral services, burial at 1:00PM at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Olympics, or Samaritan’s Purse, https://www.samaritanspurse.org/