Jean Herrick Gallagher MacDonald, 79, of Waterbury, peacefully passed away on February 21, 2015. She was born in Waitsfield on December 8, 1935, the youngest of seven brothers and sisters born to Clarence and Hattie Gallagher. She moved to California after high school to be with her sister Clare and spent the next 50 years enjoying the California sun and raising her three boys, Richard, Dale and Jeffrey, while working for Universal Studios and Sittons. She had a passion for cooking that was legendary among her family and friends that ranged from topnotch beef jerky to soft and tasty breads to canned goods galore and her Christmas cookie tins were eagerly anticipated all year long.
Jean loved to read, tend her garden and write notes and cards to everyone. Her all-time favorite way to pass the time though was always cards and Jean made sure to instill that same love of the card game in her three sons and grandchildren, especially for cribbage, hearts and gin rummy. She opened her heart and home to loved ones of both the two- and four-legged variety without hesitation and was always ready with a cookie and a helping hand. She lived her life for Jesus, loved her family without question and left a large hole in the hearts of those lucky enough to know her.
Jean was predeceased by her brothers, Norris Gallagher and Clarence Gallagher Jr.; her sisters, Alice McCarthy, Clare Hemingway and Ruthie Jones; and her daughter, Diana MacDonald. She is survived by George R. MacDonald Jr. and her three sons, Richard MacDonald of St. Petersburg, Florida, Dale MacDonald of Van Nuys, California, and Jeffrey MacDonald of Omaha, Nebraska; her grandson, Ryan and his wife Krista MacDonald of Brooklyn, New York; her granddaughter, Alzala and her husband Shawn Singleton of Canoga Park, California; Jose Luis Casillas and his family; and her brother, Robert Gallagher; as wells as many nieces and nephews in Vermont.
Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the North Country Animal League in Morrisville or the Central Vermont Humane Society in East Montpelier. Jean will be laid to rest at the Irasville Cemetery in Waitsfield where she was born and raised and surrounded by the family members gone before her.
May you always rest in peace, Jean, and watch over us all from heaven.
