Phyllis E. McDonald, 87, of Portage, passed away peacefully at VNA Hospice on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. She was born on November 21, 1925 in Gary, Indiana to George and Esther (Nee Tatro) Ramsay. Phyllis married Robert Edward McDonald "Mac" on August 19, 1944 in New York City. She was a retired Portage High School Bakery cook, and was a member of First United Methodist Church in Portage. She will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother.
Phyllis is survived by her son, Michael (Tracey) McDonald of Valparaiso, IN 4 daughters; Toni (Wally) Mansfield of Hot Springs, AR, Patti Hineline of Chesterton, IN, Karen (Charlie) Schick of Houston, TX, Lori (Ken) Kerr of Porter, IN,11 grandchildren; Kristopher (Leslie) McDonald, Kelly (Kris) Klein, Sage (Kelly) Stewart, Nikole (Justin) Racette , Jessica (Jason) Pritchard , Bryan Johnson, Kyle Kerr, Alyssa, Amanda, Ryan and Alexis McDonald.6 great-grandchildren; Olivia, Jacob, Kooper, Mackenzie, Stella and Kase, brother, Bob (Gail) Ramsay of Inverness, FL, sister, Beverly (Jerry) Fitzgerald of Portage, numerous nieces and nephews and other loving family members and friends .She is preceded in death by her husband, "Mac", son, Robert J. McDonald, parents, and 3 sisters; Esther Bivens, Verna Shaw and Joyce Stanfield 2 brothers; George Ramsay and Don Ramsay. In lieu of flowers donation to Visiting Nursing Association Foundation, 2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383-2520.
A memorial service for Phyllis will be Friday, May 31, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage. A private interment will follow. A memorial visitation will be held Friday, May 31, 2013 from 3:00 pm until time of service also at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, Portage. For information, please call Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel at (219) 762-3013 or online atwww.reesfuneralhomes.com.