Joan Marie McDonnell
Services for Joan Marie McDonnell will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2019, at St. John’s Cathedral in Boise, Idaho, with reception following in the church hall.
Her ashes will be interned with her husband’s at Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery.
Joan Marie McDonnell was born August 23, 1937, in Lead, South Dakota, to Abbie and Arthur Schindler. Joan attended school and graduated from Black Hill’s Teacher’s College in Spearfish, SD where she met the love of her life, Francis McDonnell.
They were married Aug. 13, 1958, at St. Patrick’s Church in Lead. They made their way West to Sandpoint, Idaho, where both would begin their first teaching jobs. They spent many happy years in that community growing their family with the addition of Michael, Patrick and Erin. They made many life long friendships and she enjoyed every bit of life except for the generous snowfall every year. As the years progressed many family members joined them in that area including Mac’s brother, sister and aunts. In 1969 they moved to Boise, Idaho,. Where they added Kathleen to the mix to complete their family. Joan resided there until her death.
She left teaching to support her children through their formative years as well as well as her husband’s busy coaching schedule. But Joan loved the little children and supported a strong educational start. She returned to teaching through pre-K at Weslyn and the YMCA. Every Christmas would find “teacher Joan” presents under the tree which became a yearly running joke. She and Mac were dedicated followers of Capital HS sports even after retirement.
In semi-retirement she harnessed her passion for gardening by becoming a transplanter at Edward’s Green-house. She made many close friendships and found a lot of joy, and just a few plants, there. Joan maintained a beautiful garden at her home, and found joy puttering around the flowers until her last days.
Joan maintained the tradition of Saturday Notre Dame football and was a true Boise State Bronco fan, watching games with her son Patrick. She had a love of travel and enjoyed many cruises and trips to New England, Hawaii, Ireland and Europe.
Another of Joan’s passions was actively working with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Going on home visits for over 10 years to see how she could help folks going through a tough time. She and her husband “walked the talk” by running the St. John’s foodbank, serving in the Society of St. Vincent’s, and helping establish the St. Vincent’s community center. Another yearly tradition was participating in the Thanksgiving food box drive. She and Mac taught through their example of thinking of others and living a life that included serving your community. A gift we will forever be grateful for.
Joan is survived by her sister, Mary Coffin and brother-in-law Grant of Rapid City, South Dakota; and her children, Mike and Becky McDonnell, Patrick McDonnell, Erin McDonnell, and Kathleen McDonnell; and her grandchildren, Michael, Allegra and Petra, and her great-grandchild, Kieran.
Suggested gifts in memorial instead of flowers are the foodbank, St. Vincent’s Society and Public Radio.