Ruby P. Mcdonald

In Memory Ruby Primrose McDonald, a resident of Drain, Oregon, since 1941, died peacefully this past Sunday morning, near the end on summer, September 19, 2010, after having said her good-byes to family and friends, saying she was ready to be home with Jesus, ready to be with God. She was a believer in hard work, whether in the kitchen, in the garden or in the community. She was the president of the PTA, a founder of the local Seventh Day Adventist Church and our mother. She was born in Central California, on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1916; the Primrose family moved to Washington State when the three girls were young. She was popular, married young, had her first child at 18, Mickey who has been married to Dr. Percy Clifton for 58 years, now lives in the country east of Sutherlin. Ruby lived with them the last years of her life, helping with gardening, canning, mowing several acres on a riding lawn mower until last year. Her next child, Allan Jr., became an M.D. (pediatric psychiatrist) who continues to practice in the Pasadena, California, area (40+ years). The next child, Roger, was one year old when the family moved from Longview-Kelso, area of Washington, to Drain, Oregon. He is retired after serving for 37 years earning accolades as an elementary school teacher for Los Angeles City Schools. Ruby leaves many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a few great great-grandchildren-- all of whom had an opportunity to gather around her in August of this year at a fun-filled reunion which brought a smile to her face. She was alert and pleasant but as the event wound to a close, she recounted the many happy times with a serious announcement that she was ready for The Great Reunion. She will be celebrated on Saturday, September 25, 2010, at 2 p.m. at Yoncalla SDA Church And the next day Sunday, September 26, 2010, at 2 p.m. a graveside service in Rose Valley near Kelso, Washington, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband, Allan McDonald, who preceded her, fifteen years ago. Family members contributed this poem which captures her essence: God looked around His garden and found an empty space. Then He looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful for He only takes the best He saw the roads were getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, so He closed your weary eyes and whispered, Peace be thine." It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone, For a part us when with you the day God took you home.