Patricia Ann “Pat” (Cunningham) McDonald, 89, of Ottawa, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family.
Visitation will take place in Ottawa on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Columba Church. A funeral mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa.
Pat was born on April 9, 1935, in Chicago to Edward and Grace (Chandler) Cunningham. She was a graduate of Longwood Academy and St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing in Kankakee, IL, and worked as a Registered Nurse in Manteno and Kankakee. Pat married Thomas L. McDonald on August 24, 1957. She became a member of St. Columba Church when they moved to Ottawa in 1960. Devoted to her faith, she was a fierce and loyal supporter of family and friends alike. She had very high standards for education, work ethic, and doing right by others. Pat was an avid tennis player in the Ottawa Recreational Leagues and IV Racquet Club. She was a gardener with a green thumb, especially for house plants, and an animal lover and mom to many cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and hamsters. Pat also had a great sense of humor which she enjoyed sharing with others.
She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Lynn (Harold Berg) McDonald of San Antonio, TX, Jean McDonald of Omaha, NE and Susan (Todd) Misselt also of Omaha, NE; granddaughters, Abra (Tyler) Prescott and Chandler Misselt, both of Omaha, NE; great-granddaughters, Ava and Sophia Prescott of Omaha, NE; daughter-in-law, Mary McDonald of Huron, OH; sister-in-law Ann Houck of Mexico; nephews Scott (Tammy), Sean and Craig (Paige) Morrissey; and her long-time caregiver Aurora Palaganas of Chicago, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Grace Cunningham; her son, Thomas E. McDonald; her husband, Thomas L. McDonald; her brother-and sister-in-law, Douglas and Kathleen Morrissey; her niece, Catherine Gresham; and her brother and sister-in law, Michael and Mary Cunningham.
Memorials may please be directed to Easter Seals, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Illinois Valley Animal Rescue (IVAR), or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350; 815-434-4433.