LaVonda "Holly" Mae McDonald

LaVonda "Holly” Mae McDonald, age 87, of Greeley, Colorado passed away on October 4, 2019 surrounded by her children. She was born to Ted and Mildred (Green) Hollingsworth on August 26, 1932 in Yarmouth, Iowa. Holly graduated from Yarmouth Consolidated School in 1949 where she played basketball, was a softball pitcher, baton twirler, ranked 3rd in her graduating class of 17 and was in choir, band and school plays. After graduation she was the Principal’s Secretary there from 1949-1950. She then moved to Burlington, Iowa and was a Secretary for the Office Manager in Direct Mail Division at National Research Bureau for one year and then was the Office Manager for four years. She was married to Jerry McDonald of Greeley, Colorado on November 20, 1955 in Burlington, Iowa. They moved to Greeley in 1956 and built a family of six children. She helped Jerry with his floor covering business and later with McDonald’s Superette in Greeley. Many years later they divorced, remaining friends. Following the divorce, Holly attended Aims Community College in Greeley where she earned an Associate Degree in Business. She then worked at Greeley Central High School for 31 years as Office Manager and then as Finance Secretary while also working part-time at Regency Hallmark for several of those same years. She took great pride in being a part of the Wildcat family, made many long-lasting friendships during her years there and touched many students’ lives. She was very proud to have her daughter Nancy take over her position at Greeley Central upon her retirement in July 2009. Holly was a past ten-year member of Bethel Baptist Church in Greeley, then later was a long-time member of the Greeley Wesleyan Church. She most recently was attending Sherwood Park Baptist Church in Greeley. She was a woman of deep faith and selflessly loved her family and friends. Throughout her life she loved family time together, especially on holidays, time with friends, attending church, bible study, attending her children’s and grandchildren’s events, working at GCHS sporting events, gardening, hiking/walking, dancing, reading, volunteering, roller-skating, watching the Denver Broncos on TV, decorating her home for holidays and eating & drinking chocolate. She was a very giving and forgiving woman who repeatedly advised "two wrongs don’t make a right”, a statement carried on by her own mother. She was very fond of her best lifetime friend, Dorothy "Dot” Casady of Burlington, Iowa. They were so blessed to get to spend some time together during a recent trip Dot made to Colorado. Holly is survived by her children, Vicky (Phil) Mangan of Englewood, Ted (Chantal) McDonald of Louisville, Randy (Kristi) McDonald of Greeley, Nancy (Ron) Kern of Gilcrest and Lori (Bart) Petersen of Greeley; beloved grandchildren, Jacob & Jenna Kern (Nancy), Amanda Clausen (husband Drake), Mikey Morado & Andee Petersen (Lori), Brandon & Sydney McDonald (Ted), and Dillon McDonald (Randy). She was preceded in death by her daughter, Linda McDonald; parents; sisters, Nancy Mehaffy and Marge Miller; and former husband, Jerry McDonald. A student educational scholarship fund to honor Holly’s love for Greeley Central High School has been established. Memorial contribution can be made out to Holly McDonald Memorial GCHS Scholarship Fund. Contribution can be given to Adamson Life Celebration Home or mailed to Greeley Central High School, 1515 14th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631 in care of Nancy Kern. To leave condolences for Holly’s family, www.adamsoncares.com Life Celebration Service will be held at 4:00 pm Thursday, October 10, 2019 at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 3815 W 20th Street in Greeley. Reception immediately following at the church.