In addition to raising her family, she had many interests. She was an avid downhill skier, as were her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed swimming in the ocean and passed that love on to her family, as well.

Mrs. McDonald maintained an active mind through her enjoyment of reading, oil painting and travel. She was known for her sense of humor.

Her family believed that in her quiet way, she was the rock that instilled core values by her example of living life positively with enthusiasm and appreciation

Wife of 50 years of the late David P. McDonald, she is survived by her children, Florence E. Peruzzi and her husband, Peter, of Scituate and Naples, Fla., Joan M. Ahern and her husband, Larry, of Peterborough, N.H., Carol A. McDonald, of Scituate, Stephen A. McDonald and his wife, Susan, of Canton, and Gary S. McDonald and his wife, Martha, of Wellesley; her daughter-in-law, Jacqueline McDonald, of Scituate; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was the mother of the late Paul M. McDonald.

A funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Elizabeth Church on Aug. 23. Burial was in Milton Cemetery.