Merilyn B. McDonald

On May 5, 2016, Merilyn B. McDonald departed mortal life, to rejoin her beloved sweetheart and husband, J. Ralph McDonald, who passed away Sept. 20, 2015, both in Charbonneau, OR, where they moved from Bountiful, UT in 2011.

Merilyn was born in Salt Lake City on July 22, 1925, eldest child of William H. Bertoch and Hazel Mae Coon, followed by Allen K. (deceased) and Jeanne (Dalton, of Bountiful).  Merilyn loved growing up in the small village called Bacchus, near the Hercules Powder Co.; and on her grandparents’ farm in Granger.

After graduating from Cyprus High in Magna in 1943, she attended nursing school at Holy Cross, meeting her husband, Ralph, in the birthing room at Holy Cross Hospital, where he was fulfilling his externship.  Merilyn graduated as an R.N. in 1946.  Ralph graduated from medical school in 1947, and they married in Nevada, just prior to moving to Portland, OR for Ralph's internship.

Their marriage was sealed Eternally in the Salt Lake Temple, June 14, 1954.

Dr. McDonald joined a family practice in Pendleton, OR; and Merilyn became a full-time homemaker and ‘supermom,' sewing dance recital costumes all night, leading Blazers on 5 mile hikes, and helping load and drive a sheep or steer to a 4-H show.

Although Merilyn’s first priority was always supporting Ralph and their four children, her home and influence radiated beyond family, to church and community.  Merilyn was very active in the medical auxiliary (in both Pendleton, OR and Bountiful), was a director of the Red Cross, two times president of the PTA, and active in the League of Women Voters.  By being superbly organized, she balanced her community activities with several church callings and family demands.

When Ralph decided to specialize in Orthopedics, Merilyn resumed nursing, to help support their two college students and other two sons, while Ralph did his Residency in SLC.  At Primary Children's Hospital Merilyn was the first nurse in charge of orthopedic surgery, then open heart and general surgery rooms.  She later had a second career selling/investing in RE.

Among Merilyn’s many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were:  Stake Dance Director (with Ralph, in Oregon, Union Stake), Church Office Building Hostess, and Medical Missionary to the Dominican Republic (with Ralph 1991-92), where 500 missionaries were under their care, situated in three separate missions.

Her children love and revere her for her compassion and myriad, selfless acts of kindness, lending a listening ear, shoulder to cry on, and timely, practical service or rescue to neighbors and extended family members.

We are also very grateful to the many wonderful and compassionate caregivers and nurses at Spring Ridge Court and Memory Care, and Seasons Hospice, who cared so tenderly for our mother.

In addition to her beloved sister, Jeanne Dalton, Merilyn is survived by:  daughter Patricia M. Galloway (Wesley) Trumbull, CT. Sons Joe (Melisa) Pendleton, OR, Philip Storm (Eileen Grace) SLC, and Kevin (Sabrina) Portland, OR. Grandson Jordan L. McDonald (McKennon), granddaughters Milo McDonald and Callie Jane McDonald.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Maple Hills LDS Chapel, 1975 South 1320 East, Bountiful, where a viewing will be held from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment after at Heber City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Alzheimer's research/support groups are suggested.