Kathleen "Katie" Elaine McDonald

We are heartbroken to write the news; Katie succumbed to the devastating effects of a cardiac arrest she suffered on February 8, 2018. She fought so hard for these 5 long months, rallied after every setback—of which there were many, and hung on; towards the end, perhaps just for us. For much of the time, she STILL smiled, and every time she smiled, it lit up our hearts.

As we have been posting our journey on Facebook, and now, posting the news of her passing, we have been reading stories – all incredibly similar – of what an impact Katie has made on so many people. Of course, we love Katie, and loved how she could make us feel, but we never knew just how many lives she truly touched with her joy, warmth, true caring, ready & boisterous laugh, and often unfiltered comments.

She made so many feel uplifted and happy, especially when they might have been going through some inner struggle no one knew, just by being her.

Having a military upbringing, she knew what it was like being the new kid and didn’t want people feeling left out, so she always had a ready smile and made instant friends. One of our family friends said it this way: she was beautiful physically, but “the really great thing about Katie Mac, though, was her beautiful soul. She loved people. If you spent 10 minutes with her you left as her friend.”

We also never knew how strong and brave Katie truly was. She was terribly sensitive but could also be tough. She ran the Marine Corps Marathon (still looking photo-ready), the Wilmington NC 13.1, and then a couple months later had to adjust to the news she needed an implanted defibrillator. Unexpected health challenges would arise and she’d handle them with a big dose of humor and perseverance.

But her battles over the last 5 months has shown us a depth of strength we never realized she had.

But God made Katie all about fun, love and joy.

She loved her friends. She loved making new friends. She loved dancing – anytime, anyplace. Watching her dance was to feel joy and exuberance. She loved running, Zumba, and spin classes…she also loved going to Cracker Barrel. She loved going to Disney World. She joked she could be Cinderella, and even had the dress to prove it! She loved NC, Blowing Rock reunions, going to Pinehurst Village – The Roast Office and her favorite Raspberry Truffle Coffee. Jogging around the lake in Whispering Pines for a “casual four” (miles). Hanging out with all our neighbors and (our) childhood friends--who are decades older. Katie called me "Mom" or "Mama", but loved calling me "Bonnie". She got such a kick out of that. It was our inside joke: Katie calling me "Bonnie", because, as she loved telling everyone, we were best friends. Plus, she loved that it cracked her friends up that I was ok with that--and loved that it annoyed her dad.

She loved her family – anytime being with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins was the priority. But I think most of all, she loved us. She had the typical love-hate relationship with her brother but when it came down to it, she knew she couldn’t get rid of him. Watching them crack up laughing over a shared joke (usually at their dad’s expense) or just ridiculous clues for “Heads Up”, was just a joy. During this 5-month ordeal, she always looked forward to Ryan’s arrival and just beamed. Sometimes he was the only one who could make her smile.

What brings us so much comfort – and so much aching loss – is how much she loved us. She truly loved coming home, loved doing anything – or nothing – with us. She even joked we would live together in a

family compound. Katie would tell anyone, unabashedly, that she was going home to hang out with her best friends: Mom and Dad.

Nothing will ever fill this aching void Katie’s loss has left – but our lives are so much richer for the 25 years of joy, laughter, and love we had with her.

John, Ryan and I were at her side, surrounding her with love, when she was called to Heaven.

Kathleen “Katie” Elaine McDonald was born May 18, 1993 at the US Air Force Academy, CO and being in a military family, lived in several places: Colorado Springs, CO; Scott AFB, IL; Prattville, AL; Cabot, AR; Springfield, VA; Pope AFB, NC; Scott AFB again, then Whispering Pines, NC.

She attended Westside Elementary in Arkansas, Orange Hunt Elementary in Virginia, Albritton Jr. High and Terry Sanford High School in North Carolina, and graduated from Mascoutah High School in Illinois.

Katie began her college quest at University of North Carolina Greensboro and Sandhills Community College in Southern Pines, NC and graduated from University of North Carolina Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies.

She participated in the Disney College Program twice, absolutely loved everyone she worked with and loved giving everyone a “magical day.”

Most recently, Katie was a Front Desk Agent at Sapphire Falls Resort, made many instant friends among her co-workers and even some guests. She loved going the extra mile to make their day, to bring a surprised smile of appreciation for an unexpected upgrade or basket of treats.

Katie is preceded in death by her grandparents, Ken and Faith Barnebey, Robert King High, and Bernard McDonald, and her aunt, Laurel (Barnebey) Young.

She leaves behind her loving parents, John and Bonnie McDonald of Whispering Pines, NC and brother, Ryan J McDonald who lives in Ocoee, FL. She also leaves behind her paternal grandmother Jacque McDonald of Wetumpka, AL, many aunts, uncles, and cousins who love her dearly, as well as a multitude of friends and acquaintances whose lives were brightened by her light.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the American Heart Association in memory of Katie.

“If there is ever a tomorrow that we are not together, there is one thing you should always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is: even if we’re apart, I will always be with you in the heart.”

--Winnie the Pooh