Judy Lynn McDonald's Obituary
Judy Lynn McDonald passed away peacefully on Friday, March 7, 2025, after a courageous battle with ALS. To no one’s surprise, she was beautiful, brave, strong and poised through it all.
Judy was born in Kansas City, Kansas on June 29, 1947, to a teenage mother who was not prepared to have a baby. Luckily, there was a lovely couple who had waited years for a child of their own and were overjoyed to call Judy theirs. They brought baby Judy back to a tiny house in Liberal, Kansas where she grew up the proud daughter of a football coach - climbing trees, sewing dresses and raising kittens to her heart’s content.
Judy went on to college at Fort Hays State, Kansas; then found her way to Arkansas where she began a career in healthcare at Park Hill Women’s Clinic in Fayetteville. She moved up from a receptionist job to the office manager and into a role that she cherished - she was in charge of the babies being adopted. She had the privilege of carrying those babies in her arms to their new parents. As an adopted child herself, it was incredibly rewarding.
A few years later, she began working in government. After working closely with Senator David Pryor and his campaign, she was appointed as the Legislative Liaison for the Arkansas State Health Department. She was a very active campaigner for Governor Clinton, Senator David Pryor and the Democratic Party and carried this political passion throughout her life. It was fitting that it was at an ice cream social fundraiser in Fayetteville, that she met Dr James Edward McDonald II. And she was smitten.
The marriage and merger of their two families was joy-filled and adventurous. Judy immediately dove into the daily chaos of raising 4 children of roughly the same ages while supporting a husband starting a new practice. Along with these family and business adventures, Judy and Jay also shared a love for travel and spent time exploring and photographing different cultures and experiences all over the globe. Judy loved it. And on every trip she would always seek out the animals and come home with her favorite photos - selfies with camels, horses, dogs and cats.
Raising a family was being done while she and Jay were also building the successful McDonald Eye Clinic (traveling came later). At The McDonald Eye Clinic, Judy was an innovative business leader with a creative mind. As the head administrator she helped build a thriving practice which created close relationships with the worldwide ophthalmology community.
Judy was a true public servant. Over her lifetime she volunteered and served her city and her state in many ways. Judy served ten years on the Fayetteville School Board as a Member and then President. She aided in the development of Peace at Home – a shelter and support for women and encouraged all her friends to be involved. Her love for the Razorbacks in all sports was only equaled by her husband. Together they attended, hollered and cried for the Hogs year after year. Judy was on the Fulbright College Advisory board where she gave her time, her home and her money to making the University of Arkansas a welcoming place for students from throughout the world. She loved her garden and was a proud member of her garden club as well as a Master Gardener. Her last great public gift to Fayetteville was her time and generosity to the Botanical Gardens of NWA where she finished her term on the board as a repeat President. Giving back is what Judy did.
Judy’s life of service and work is impressive, but what made her eyes sparkle were her family and her many dogs. She delighted in talking about her four children, sharing their accomplishments and lives through many pictures and stories with anyone who would listen. And then came all the grandkids! Her home, social posts and cell phone were filled every day with pictures of every child and grandchild. She was quiet about her own accomplishments but never about those of her family.
Jay was her true love and partner. This love was only occasionally rivaled by whatever mutt happened to be the newest addition to their dog family. Judy loved to be surrounded by her dogs; and you can bet that all of her pets throughout the years, with Freckles leading the way, bounded up to her with tails wagging as they welcomed her to her new home.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Hoxie and Ruthe Freeman. She is survived by her husband Dr. Jay McDonald, daughters Bucy Neech (Jeremy) of Bath, England, Ashley Hopkins (Braden) of Lander, WY, Julia McDonald of London, England, son Andrew Stout (Neely) of Tampa, FL and eight grandchildren, Clara Hopkins, Keller Hopkins, Tripp Hopkins, Sydney Stout, Bennett Stout, Pierce Stout, Storm Neech, Jago Neech. Judy is also survived by her birth mother Lois Marion Johnson Danes and two half-sisters Stefani Danes (Doug Cooper) and Nancy Marshall (David Leadman). Judy was lovingly cared for by Jay and her wonderful team of caregivers: Heidi Rice, Lauren Caron, Storm Bureau and Avary Jones.
Judy was a beautiful force of life and is already dearly missed. But just as she did with everything she undertook, she has left this place and all of us better than before she found us.
Please join her family and friends as we honor her life.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 18th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville. Memorial Celebration will be Wednesday, March 19th, at 2:00 PM at Central United Methodist Church.
For those who wish to make a memorial donation in Judy’s honor:
• Botanical Garden of the Ozarks: https://bgozarks.org/
• Peace at Home Women’s Shelter: https://peaceathomeshelter.org/
Click this link to view additional details about Judy's Services, including any available live streams: https://my.gather.app/remember/judy-mcdonald-2025
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