Obituary of Margaret G. MacDonald

Margaret Grainey MacDonald, 87 years old, of Billerica,MA, passed away peacefully in her sleep from Alzheimer’s on Friday, September 29th at Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading, MA. She was born to the late Martin and Mary (Lightfoot) Grainey, on February 17, 1936, in Leigh Lancashire, England. Margaret was one of 11 children. Having lived through World War II, she had many memories of persevering through difficult times. With jobs scarce after the war, in 1954 she took the ocean liner Britanica to come to America, residing in Waltham MA, living with her aunt Nellie. She was shocked to learn her prized Ration Book from the war was no longer needed.  She kept it as a memento of her younger days, delighted in explaining its history to her children and grandchildren.

Margaret really enjoyed her career in High Tech as a receptionist with many coworkers becoming her long lasting friends. She charmed everyone she met with her British accent and magnetic personality; making friends and small talk everywhere she went.

Margaret loved having her family over to cook her special meals from home. She especially loved to end her meals with a cup of tea and a biscuit. She loved dancing to Irish music in her living room, teaching her grandchildren to juggle and jump rope, and having her grandchildren over for sleepovers. 

Even though she was born and raised in England, she loved America and became a proud American citizen in 2009.

She is survived by her five children, Robert MacDonald Jr, William MacDonald, Marie MacDonald Perkins, John MacDonald and Linda MacDonald Clayton.  In addition, she has 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren who all knew her lovingly as Mema. She is also survived by her siblings Mary Nelson of Deerfield, NH, Ellen Johnson of Leigh Lancashire, England, and Tony Grainey of Leigh Lancashire England.     

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, October 4th, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm., at Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Rd.,(Rt. 3A), Billerica.  The funeral mass will take place on Thursday, October 5th at St Matthew’s the Evangelists Parish in St. Theresa's Church at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment, Fox Hill cemetery, Billerica.