Rose Marie (Slother) McDonald
Rose Marie McDonald, 82, of Philipsburg, Pa, died Monday, July 18, 2022 at 11:25 am at Windy Hill Village in Philipsburg.
She was born in Philipsburg, Pa, on November 26, 1939, a daughter of the late Frank C. Slother and Marion Jeanne (Braund) Slother.
After graduation from Philipsburg High School, Class of 1957, she enrolled in the Philipsburg State Hospital School of Nursing, graduating 1st in her class of 1960 and became a Registered Nurse at age 20 in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
On May 28, 1960 in Philipsburg, Pa, Rose married the former Lawrence “Larry” McDonald, her high school sweetheart, whom she first met at age 5 at catechism class. Larry always said that there has been a “Rose” in his life from day one starting with his grandmother whose name was “Rose Ann McDonald”!
Rose worked in Tobey Hospital in Wareham, Massachusetts as an Operating Room Nurse while Larry was in the Air Force stationed at Otis AFB, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. They returned to Philipsburg and Rose worked as the Health/Safety Coordinator for the Clearfield/Centre Counties Head Start program before it became Cen-Clear Child Services. She established a medic-aid clinic for children in Clearfield and a mobile dental unit (dubbed the “Smile Mobile”) for Centre and Clearfield counties. In addition to supervising the health component for Cen-Clear, Rose was a Consultant and Peer Reviewer for the Regional Head Start Office in Philadelphia that serviced five states and Washington, D.C. Rose retired from Cen-Clear after 20+ years due to health reasons, but continued to volunteer her services at Central PA Community Action, Red Cross, Life Line, and Holt Memorial Library, among others.
Rose is survived by her husband Larry of 62 years, along with a daughter, Denise Marie McDonald, of State College, Pa.
In addition to her parents, Rose was preceded in death by a son, Paul Martin McDonald, who died shortly after birth on May 6, 1968; and a son, Patrick L. McDonald, who died on January 8, 2019.
Rose was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church in Philipsburg, Pa.
Following her previously stated wishes, there will be no public visitation or services.
Burial will be private at the convenience of the family at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Cen-Clear Child Services, P.O. Box 319, Bigler, Pa 16825; or a charity of your choice.
The family wishes to express their deep and sincere appreciation for the excellent care, support, and compassion the staff at Windy Hill Village demonstrated in their caring for Rose and support given to Larry and Denise.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Philipsburg.
Family and friends may sign the guestbook and submit online condolences at www.beezerheathfh.com.
