Elizabeth McDonald

Elizabeth Marie McDonald (née Repak), 90, of Downingtown, PA, passed away on April 7, 2020.  Elizabeth was born in Coatesville, PA, on July 25, 1929, to Steve and Marie (née Ondrek) Repak. Her parents, both immigrants from Slovakia, raised Elizabeth and her twelve siblings in a bustling, boisterous, loving home.  Elizabeth’s father worked for Lukens Steel Mill, and her mother raised Elizabeth and her siblings with love and tenderness, instilling in them the importance of a strong family bond and a good, home-cooked meal.

Elizabeth graduated from Coatesville High School, where she met her handsome high school sweetheart, Charles W. McDonald. Elizabeth and Charles married in 1951 and soon moved to Germany, where Charles was stationed in the Army. They later moved to Massachusetts, where they welcomed their first two of five children, and then to Downingtown, PA, where they welcomed three more. Elizabeth resided in Downingtown from 1963 until her death.

As a Downingtown resident for more than 50 years, Elizabeth was deeply loved by her friends, neighbors, and the many children she helped to babysit over the years. She was an active member of the Sandy Hill Community Church in Coatesville, where she and her late daughter, Brenda, devoted themselves to the community with love, compassion, and welcome. Elizabeth was a very skillful knitter, and used her talent to make hats for newborn babies, hats for children in Eastern Europe, and hats and scarves for children participating in the Young Athletes Special Olympics.

Elizabeth always remembered a new face, a kind word, a good deed, and heralded birthdays and special occasions with handwritten notes that read, "I love you" and “be good." Elizabeth will be remembered as a generous, kind, loving woman with a gentle heart, a soft spot for all of God’s children, and a childlike sense of wonder, reminding us that there is awe all around us and something special in each of us.

Elizabeth’s passing leaves gaping holes in the hearts of those who had the honor to know, love, and cherish her. In her place now are the fond memories she helped to create, of adventuresome camping trips and sunny picnics; home-cooked meals that filled the belly and warmed the soul; joyful holidays and nut rolls made just the way her mother taught her; zesty lemon meringue pies; and delightful afternoons spent with her grandchildren on the front porch playing games of Piggy, Uno, and pick-up sticks.

Elizabeth was the beloved wife of the late Charles W. McDonald; loving mother of Bonnie (Ralph) Costello; the late Brenda McDonald; Mary (Tom) Rogan; Charles McDonald, Jr.; and Theodore McDonald. She was the adoring grandmother of Jamie Walton; Timothy Walton; Charles (Dawn) Costello; Colleen (Jaryd) Costello; Emily Crabtree; Jennifer McDonald; and Phillip McDonald.  Elizabeth was the beloved great grandmother of Peyton Root; Braeden Walton; Cole Walton; Moxie Crabtree; Clarity Crabtree; Felicity Costello Bern; and Corinne Costello Bern. She was predeceased by her siblings, Agnes Sushinski, Ann Havrilla, Helen Swiger, and Steve Repak. She was also predeceased by her half-sisters Julia Chobanian, Pauline Smolar, and Mary Comotto, as well as half-brothers Joseph, Paul, John, and Steven Repak, and Anthony Repak-Fisher.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sandy Hill Preschool, 420 S Sandy Hill Rd, Coatesville, PA 19320.