Mary (Sharpe) MacDonald, 99

On Jan. 30, 2018, at her home in Kalispell, Mary (Sharpe) MacDonald “began her journey to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Mary was born on Feb. 9, 1918, 14 miles northeast of Big Timber on her grandfather’s homestead, to Jonas Sharpe and Lucy Sharpe. Mary spent her early youth tending to bum lambs on her grandfather’s ranch. When she was 4 years old Mary contracted polio and traveled by train many times to the Shriner’s Hospital in Minneapolis where she spent countless hours in treatment, therapy and operations.

Mary met Ronald MacDonald and they were married on Dec. 6, 1937, in Whitefish.

She was involved with the VFW, Smith Valley Grange, and community activities. Spending time with her family was her biggest joy. From birthday parties to days on the lake to playing cards, she always enjoyed getting together with those she loved.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jonas Sharpe, and mother, Lucy Cartwright; her sisters, Ellen Nutting, Betty Mathis and Bessie Jones; and brother, Ernest Sharpe; her husband, Ronald MacDonald; and her son, Ronald MacDonald Jr.

Mary is survived by her brother, Robert Cartwright Sr.; daughter, Marilyn Smith, and her husband, Arthur, of Jefferson City, Montana; daughter Jeanette Wetzel of Kalispell; 10 grandchildren, Kim Smith, Jeff Smith, Anthony Smith, Annette Smith, Jamie Lentz, Jim Presnell, Angie Ripple, Michael MacDonald, Rona Chenoweth and Lex MacDonald Fritz; 21 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren; and countless nieces and nephews.

The MacDonald family would like to thank Frontier Hospice of Kalispell for the loving care they provided during the family’s time of need.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, 1890 Highway 93 North in Kalispell, with a rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s name to The Friends of Hospice, 42 Bruyer Way Kalispell, MT 59901.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.