Judith McDonald

Judith Darlene McDonald

Judith Darlene McDonald, nee Sorensen, passed away on November 30, 2024, at the age of 85. She was born on May 4, 1939, in Spokane, WA to Harold and Anna Sorensen, the second of two children. Judy spent her first twenty years in Spokane, WA. She married Lawrence “Doug” McDonald in September 1959. They then moved to several cities in Washington before moving to Basking Ridge, NJ for four years when Doug transferred to work for AT&T in New York City. They moved back to Washington where she resided in Bellevue for forty-nine years.

Judy graduated co-valedictorian in 1957 from Rogers High School in Spokane, WA. She was active in the Order of the Rainbow Girls, Masonic Youth Service Organization, and served as President for the Spokane Lilac Assembly. Judy attended Washington State College (University), and earned a bachelor’s degree in education, specializing in child development, with honors in 1961. She was an alumna of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Judy taught 5th grade at Garfield Elementary School, Garfield, WA and Kenmore Elementary School, Northshore School District, Kenmore, WA.

Judy became a full-time homemaker in 1964 with the birth of her daughter, Jannine, and later had a son, Steven. Doug and Judy enjoyed raising their children and spent many hours together in their backyard playing and traveling to historic sites and national parks. Judy guided her children’s growth by taking an active part as Girl Scout Troop Leader, teaching Vacation Bible School at First Presbyterian Church in Bellevue and encouraging participation in piano, guitar, saxophone, ballet, and swimming lessons. Following the graduation of her children from high school, Judy became the store manager of Northwest Pendleton in Bellevue Square for seventeen years. During this time, she was awarded for best store sales by Bellevue Square Management.

The love of her life was her family. Her focus was to have a loving and caring relationship with all family and extended family members. She provided a loving and comfortable home environment for all family gatherings, looking forward especially to birthdays, sewing costumes for Halloween and decorating for the holidays. She loved bird watching, particularly hummingbirds and was always happy to see them at the hummingbird feeder and the hanging fuchsia near the window. Judy supported the National Audubon Society for many years. When traveling on the East Coast, Judy and Doug enjoyed visiting lighthouses from northern Maine to Key West, FL. One of Judy’s fondest lighthouse memories was visiting the West Quoddy Head Lighthouse, Lubec, Maine.

Judy and Doug enjoyed spending time at their vacation condo on Maui, with walks on the beach and watching their children and grandchildren as they snorkeled, built sandcastles and spent time in the sun. Judy delighted in traveling to Europe and seeing sights in Denmark, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Scotland, and France, especially spending time in Paris for their 40th Anniversary.

Judy will always be remembered as a source of love, inspiration, and kindness. Her thoughtfulness and guidance were helpful to everyone she knew and met. She will be deeply missed. 

Judy is survived by her husband, Doug, her children Jannine, (Paul), Steven, (Megan), granddaughters Natalie and Angela, great-grandson Adriano, and her brother Clifford, nephew Dan, (Diane) and many extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division, in Spokane, WA on December 10, 2024, from 2:00 – 6:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at Riplinger Funeral Home on December 11, 2024, at 10:00 am, followed by interment at Riverside Memorial Park, 211 N. Government Way, Spokane, WA. Remembrances in Judy’s honor may be made to Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church, 4449 N. Nevada, Spokane, WA 99207.