Elizabeth “Betty” Jean (Zahner) McDonald, 93, of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully November 7, 2023. She was born July 27, 1930 in Kansas City to Leo William and Allee A. (Dorsey) Zahner. They preceded her in death.
Betty graduated in 1949 from St. Mary’s Academy in Leavenworth, KS. She married Harry L. McDonald, Sr. on May 15, 1954 at Our Lady of Good Councel Catholic Church in Kansas City. Mr. McDonald preceded her in death on April 1, 2010.
Betty had a love for both her Lord and her family. She was a long-time member of St. Therese Parish, near Parkville, MO where she spent several years as the cafeteria manager. Over the years at St. Therese, she was active in the Altar and Rosary Society and in most recent years, the Garden Club. Betty and Harry were also supporters of St. Pius X High School, where they proudly put all seven of their children through school.
Some of Betty’s passions included cooking, knitting and spoiling her grandchildren. She was also proud of her membership in the Parkville YMCA, where she was active in the Older Adult Club.
Survivors include seven children: Harry L. McDonald, Jr. (Susan), Tamara A. Tritico (Bill), Mary Beth McDonald, Kathleen A. Armitage (Jim Wilkerson), Kevin A. McDonald (Bing), Michelle T. Balachowski (John) and Tom W. McDonald; sister, Eileen Zahner; 20 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. In addition to her parents and Harry, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Leo Zahner, Jr. and Richard Zahner; a sister, Margaret Schmidt; daughter-in-law, Karen McDonald; and son-in-law, Richard Armitage.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 17, 2023, at St. Therese Catholic Church. Rev. Joseph Cisetti presiding. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., prior to Mass. The Committal service will be held 12:30 p.m. Monday, November 20, 2023, at Leavenworth National Cemetery, where a formal funeral procession will depart the Meyers Northland Chapel at 11:45 a.m.
Memorial contributions are suggested to: St. Therese School, St. Pius X High School or University of St. Mary.
So Very Sorry to read this, Tammie and Kathy and Family
You have Cared for her with so much Love. May Perpetual Light Shine on Her
♥️🙏🏽♥️
So sorry for your family loss. Holding you all in prayer🙏❤️
Betty was a kind, loving person. I was so fortunate to meet her at the YMCA. Many fun times at potluck and croquet. Our conversations were always calm and sweet. So sad she is gone but happy she is now with loved ones in heaven.
So sorry to hear of Betty’s passing, but happy thinking about her being reunited with Harry and my mom who loved Betty dearly. With my mom and dad, and Betty and Harry together again – there will be some fun times in heaven! My condolences to the entire McDonald family. May she rest in peace!
I enjoyed my last visits with Betty in the comfort of her her family’s home, where she obviously felt safe and secure in a world sometimes wrought with confusion. She had a wonderful life experience with much to be proud of in her Children’s accomplishments, being married to “Santa Clause”, growing up in a home built as one of J.E. Dunn’s first building projects ever, watching her family’s Architectural Metals Design/Build/Install company become one of the premier companies of its kind, installing unique building exteriors all over the world based upon their family reputation for excellence, seeing what must have seemed like an endless parade of funny, silly grandkids (who’s THAT kid?) I’ll always remember her cupping her hand over her mouth and pointing secretively towards Mary as she whispered “That one’s my favorite” and I’d put my hand up and whisper “mine too!”….and we’d nod at each other in agreement. God Bless Betty.
My condolences to Buddy and Sue and all of your family. ‘Aunt Betty’ as I knew her from my friend and your cousin John Schmidt was a blessing and you all were blessed to have her.
Thank you for letting Catholic Community Health/Hospice take care of her. I will miss that wonderful smile of hers – it made my day. Such a sweet lady. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
We are so sorry for the loss of Betty.
May she rest in eternal peace.
I am sorry to hear of Betty’s passing. She was a friendly person who will be missed. I pray that your sweet memories give you peace and healing.