Marilyn L. McDonald

On September 29, 2018, MARILYN MCDONALD, 81 years of age, was called home after battling with lung cancer. Marilyn is survived by her husband of 51 years of marriage Harry McDonald. She is the mother of Michael McCormick, Michelle McCormick, and Mark McDonald, and mother-in-law to Daneen McDonald. She is the grandmother of Matthew McDonald, Timothy McDonald, Michael McCormick, Jr., Lauren McCormick, and Kayla McCormick. Born 1937 in Baltimore, Maryland, to Helen Beatrice Dennis and Walter E. Dennis. Marilyn's siblings, Edward Dennis (Deceased) Walter Dennis, (Deceased) and Charlie Dennis, the last living sibling were all raised on Mosher Street and at North Payson Street, Baltimore, Maryland, affectionately known as Sand Town. Mariyln spent her early years like all children raised in that era going to school, playing with friends, reading, and always idolizing and following her brothers. Marilyn was very well protected being the only girl. While attending Douglas High School her senior year,she received a scholarship to attend a nursing school in Boston, Massachusetts. This happened when segregation was still the law in America, and very few selected African Americans attended White institutions of higher learning. During Mariyln's two years at the nursing school, she suffered indignity of cleaning the white babies she looked after, while the white girls could feed, clothe, and hold the babies. Marilyn graduated, earning an equivalent Associate's Degree in Nursing. Marilyn returned to Baltimore after this experience, only to find that no hospital would employ her or respect her credentials. To earn a Maryland State Licensure as a Licensed Practical Nusre (LPN) would come years later, after the laws changed. However, Marilyn did not let her circumstances derail her goals and aspirations. She immediately enrolled in a new program at Coppin Teachers College, located on North Avenue. In West Baltimore. Now, she would pursue another calling to become a teacher of children at the elementary school age. After graduating from Coppin, she became a teacher of reading, and for the next several-plus years, she took advantage of every opportunity to advance. However, as life changes, so do our circumstances. Marilyn married James McCormick, at the young age of 21. The marriage would dissolve a few years later. Marilyn would refocus on her teaching career and two children, Michael and Michelle. It was not until the mid-1960s while still living in Edmondson Village, Marilyn would meet a handsome young Police Officer names Harry who lived behind her house. Harry was always playing sports with the neighborhood kids, including Michael and Michelle. Both Marilyn and Harry would date for a few years before Harry asked her for her hand in marriage in 1967. In 1968, one of the most eventful times in African-American history, Marilyn and Harry would have a son, named Mark McDonald. Shortly after Mark's birth, Marilyn, Harry, Michael and Michelle would move to Baltimore County. There, Marilyn and Harry would cement their faith in God by attending and dedicating their service to Epworth United Methodist Church for many years, as well as renewing their vows. After moving to this new environment, Marilyn would received her long awaited LPN certification decided to work in the evenings at a nursing home and teach during the day. Marilyn would attend Johns Hopkins University where she would earn her master's degree in Education, specializing in reading k-12. It was now time to move into middle management in the Baltimore City Public School System by becoming a principal. Marilyn would be introduced and pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., graduated chapter, by her lifelong supporter, friend, neighbor, and sister soror, Mrs. Sadie Smalley. This began a lifetime of service in one of the nation's oldest African-American sororities. There she would serve on various boards and committees furthering their mission to young black woman and the community. Marilyn's was an avid reader. In 1998, she became a charter member of Leah's Book Club. The book club served as a social setting for book lovers. This was opportunity to meet new friends and become closer to old friends in the Baltimore Community. The ladies enjoyed meeting each month and dining in fine restaurants. The annual meeting at book lover Brenda Conley's home was always a treat for the club members and their guests. Marilyn's managerial skills were used at four elementary schools in her 30 plus-year career making changes along the way. Teachers under her charge blossomed into outstanding leaders and ensured that students were learned successfully. Even after her retirement from Baltimore City, she still found the need, desire, and time to continue to mentor young woman teachers as an Adjunct Professor at University Maryland Baltimore County. All her life Marilyn was the cornerstone of family holding gatherings, vacations, local trips, kind words, advise, mentorship, educational pursuits, dedicated service, and so, so much more. She epitomized what it meant to be a grandmother to her grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by all she touched during of her life.

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Marilyn L. McDonald

September 22, 1937 - September 29, 2018