Heather Glee MacDonald, 86, died peacefully on June 16, 2016 in Overland Park, KS.
Born in Keetmanshoop, South West Africa, she grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and was a Nurse. Becoming the youngest Head Matron ever at Groote Schuur Hospital, she inspired many of her generation to follow in her profession by the compassion and devotion shown her patients. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Robin, daughter Helen Carson (Jeff), son Richard MacDonald (Pearl) of Kansas City, and sister Meg Colleen Arter (John) of Cape Town, South Africa. She was preceded in death by her parents Tom Macready Curtis and Elsie Iris Willmot, sister Elizabeth Donlyn Perry and sister Cathleen Nella Wagenfeld.
She leaves behind a legacy of devotion to family and the grandchildren she loved so dearly – Robyn MacDonald, Winston MacDonald, Grace Carson, Emma Carson and Jacob Carson. After arriving in Kansas City in 1978, she was active in the community helping those who are most vulnerable and under- served, a passionate advocate of justice. She enjoyed a lifelong love of nature, gardening, sewing, in time becoming a prize- winning doll maker, and relished staying in touch with the family that had spread around the world. She is remembered near and far for her marvelous sense of humor and her gentle touch for all animals, especially the MacDonald Labradors who knew they’d hit the jackpot! Her kindness and compassion, grace and bravery are an inspiration to all she touched.
Honoring her wishes for a private family service, she is lovingly remembered for a life lived with dignity and purpose. Cremation Society of Kansas & Missouri, 8837 Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, KS 66207, 913-383-9888. www.kccremation.com
Published in Kansas City Star on June 22, 2016