Joan Morton McDonald

McDonald, Joan Morton Born in Boston May 21, 1932 to Grace Lamb and Vincent P. Morton, raised in West Roxbury and North Scituate, Massachusetts, died peacefully at home in Cohasset on March 18th at the age of 89. She was a loyal member of Girls’ Latin School ’49 and Vassar College ’53 where she was chosen to carry the Daisy Chain, a tradition honoring sophomore women of beauty and intelligence.

Married nearly seventy years to the late J. Edward McDonald who considered her his greatest asset, together they raised 8 children: Sally and Jim Fitzpatrick of Boston, Julia of Vero Beach, FL, John & Melissa of Martha’s Vineyard, Peter & Mary of Norwell, Molly & David Jackson of Dedham, Andrew & Denise of Cohasset, Sam & Melissa of Scituate and the late Matthew. She was deeply admired by 17 grandchildren and tickled pink by 5 great-grandchildren. A model of motherhood and strength of character, she was devoted, determined, elegant, funny, insightful, inspirational, loving, resilient, supportive and intolerant of nonsense.

Joan was an activist for children with disabilities and honored by the United Way in 1978 as director of Milton’s Volunteers-in-Action “Understanding Handicaps” program. As a 50-year sustaining member and past treasurer of the Crescendo Club of Boston, she indulged her love of classical music. An accomplished knitter, she cherished Wednesdays with her fellow “Knitwits.” She was a lifelong member of Hatherly Country Club. She read constantly and widely, taking and eventually leading classes in current events and Irish history for more than a decade at Boston College. An ardent fan of antique auctions, bargains, babies, Erma Bombeck, fabrics, family, figure skating, history, mocha ice cream sodas, old friends, oriental rugs, tap dancing to the player piano, travel, sitting in the sun, swimming, tennis and Roger Federer.

Predeceased by brother Vincent P. Morton, Jr. Survived by sister Elaine Morton Casey Murphy of Fort Belvoir, VA, brother David L. Morton and wife Judy of Andover, MA and in-laws Fran O’Brien of Chicago, Mimi Monaco of Honolulu and Paul McDonald of Needham.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Church, Cohasset on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to NVNA & Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive or Friendship Home, P.O. Box 916, both of Norwell, MA 02061.

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