Helen P. McDonald Kelly McIlvain

Helen Patricia (Kelly) McDonald-McIlvain (Patty Mac), age 86, passed away on August 22, 2012. “Pat” was born in Effingham, Kansas on July 7, 1926 to Rapheal and Anna (Burns) Kelly. She was the 4th of 5 children and spent most of her growing years in Atchison, Kansas. After graduating from Mount Saint Scholastica High School, she set her sights on nursing school at St. Joseph Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. After graduating from nursing school, she decided to see the world through Braniff Airline as a stewardess for a brief period of time before she resumed her career at St. Joseph Hospital as a surgical nurse until her retirement in 1991. In 1951 she met our father, William James McDonald Jr. and they married on February 16, 1952. From there they began their family of five children. In 1954 they moved to Raytown in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. After 33 years of marriage her husband, Bill was called home on October 1, 1985. During her retirement years she enjoyed her art of decorating, specializing in flower arrangements for many weddings as well as the church. So much so that she was given the Bishops award for her beautiful décor of the altar during Holy Days, particularly Christmas. She also enjoyed participating in The Friendly Club at Lourdes Parish and Bible study at her friend’s home. Through the years Patty Mac was there for those friends, neighbors and family in their time of need. Whether it be to help save a life, or to help loved ones say goodbye. In 1995 she married Merton McIlvain and enjoyed life with travel, ballroom dancing and lots of laughter until his passing on December 16, 2010. Patty Mac-Mac was a gift from God and will be greatly missed, by her co-workers, neighbors, friends and parishioners. She will especially be missed by her only son, William James McDonald III (Melody) of Garden City, Missouri, and her four daughters, Ann McDonald Davis (Bob) of Raytown, Katie McDonald of Lee’s Summit, Kelly Boner (Sam) of Savannah, Missouri. and Rita Naudet(Jim) of Kansas City, Missouri, as well as her stepchildren Julie Leprich(Adam), Topeka, Kansas, Chris McIlvain (Jenn) of Austin,Texas, and Marty McIlvain(Kelly) of Blue Springs, Missouri, ten grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Her sister, Mary Grame of San Diego, California and brother Larry Kelly of Atchison, Kansas and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 26, Rosary at 5:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 8820 East Gregory Boulevard in Raytown, Missouri 64133. Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 27, at Our Lady of Lourdes, with a Christian Burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers donations to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish would be appreciated or St. Joseph Hospital. Condolences may be offered at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.