On July 8, 2024 Mary Ann Macdonald passed away peacefully. Born in the small town of Rogersville, Tennessee, December 16, 1926, she was the beloved daughter of J. Hickman and Ida Mae McDonald. She grew up with her brother, Robert, enjoying the Eastern Tennessee Mountains.

Ann attended Mary Baldwin College and the Richmond Professional Institute, an extension of the College of William and Mary where she studied art and fashion design. It was there that she attended a dance where she met her future husband, Richard Z. Macdonald, who said years later: “When I saw her I knew I was going to marry her. She was the most beautiful girl in the room.” And could they dance!

Soon after they married, they moved to Ligonier, Pa. to Rich Hollow Farm at the end of Nicely Road. While Dick was busy at Idlewild Park, Ann raised their three children. She was always involved in their lives, taking them skiing, and playing field hockey with the girls. She said her most precious piece of jewelry was the medal she received for being a den mother for her son’s Cub Scout group.

Ann was always involved in her church being a 70 year member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where she served as a deacon, an elder, a member of the Chancel Guild, and taught Sunday school. She was interested in civic and cultural activities for many organizations. As a patron of the arts, she served as the president of the Woman’s Committee of the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, and was a contributor to the Southern Allegheny Museum of Art, Ligonier. She was a board member of the Ligonier Valley Library, and a founding member of Hollow Tree Players playing a part in their first and many presentations. Ann was on the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce where she successfully lobbied the city to light the town with white lights during the winter holidays.

Ann’s artistic talents were many. She painted portraits of family members, friends and pets. She had a high fashion standard, and wore it well. With three other Ligonier friends, she opened the Clothes Patch women’s clothing store which was well received in the community.

Ann was a great bridge player as was her mother. She also enjoyed golf, tennis, and travel. She was a wonderful supportive mother who had a great sense of humor and sincere warmth. She made friends of all ages up to the day she passed.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years in 2018. She is survived by her children, Zanne Macdonald of Charlottesville, Va., Susan Grill, and husband, Erik, of Casper, Wyo., and Richard Z. Macdonald Jr. (Mac) and fiancée Susan Saling of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Ligonier, Pa., grandchildren Abbi, Sallie, Jared, Richard, Jill, Jake, and Elle, and numerous great grandchildren who will live on remembering her bright spirit.

Should you wish to make a donation in Ann’s memory, the following are choices she would like: Ligonier Valley Library, Southern Allegheny Museum of Art in Ligonier or Westmoreland Museum of American Art.

Condolences may be shared with the family on the tribute wall.

For more on services and to share your condolences, visit Hill and Wood Funeral Service.