Dorothy J. MacDonnell, 89, community and church volunteer – Coastal Observer
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Dorothy J. MacDonnell, 89, community and church volunteer

August 6, 2022

Dorothy  J. MacDonnell of Willbrook Plantation died Aug. 6. She was 89.

She was born Feb. 14, 1933, in Boston, the daughter of Joseph C. and Mary J. Jordan. 

Dorothy spent her childhood in Jamaica Plain, Mass., where she attended Our Lady of Lourdes Grammar School, St. Thomas Aquinas High and Catherine Gibbs College.

In 1953, she met the love of her life, Thomas A. MacDonnell.  They became engaged on Valentine’s Day 1954 and married Aug. 21. 1954.  After Tom was commissioned in the Army, home became where the Army sent them.  Mrs. MacDonnell was remembered as a loving mother of six, a gracious Army wife, and a friend to many.  She instilled in their children a strong sense of faith, family and community. 

Eventually, the Army took them to the Northern Virginia area where the family put down roots. She served as a docent at Woodlawn Plantation and was a long-time associate at Lord & Taylor. 

They retired to Pawleys Island in 1993. Mrs. MacDonnell continued her volunteering at Brookgreen Gardens, Teach My People, the Georgetown County Visitors Center and Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sister, Barbra Holmen McKenna (David); her son Thomas A. Jr. (Sandy)  and grandchildren Morgan, Caroline and Margaret; her son Sean (Leslie); her daughter Jordan; her son Brian (Claudia) and grandchildren Katie Hanscome (Steve), Brian Jr. (Ashely), Kevin (Bailey) and Molly; her daughter Maura Tapley (John) and grandchildren Rachel, Hillary Tiernan (J.P.) and Erin;  her daughter Aileen Hughes (Michael) and grandchildren Neill and Elizabeth; her daughter Patricia Day (Todd) and grandchildren Claire Nelson (Ryan), Courtney Bear (Nathan) and Emily Mike (Phil); and 11 great-grandchildren.

Her brother, Joseph C. Jordan Jr., died before her.

A funeral mass will be held Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. at Precious Blood of Christ Catholic Church. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Condolences may be sent at burroughsfh.com.

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Georgetown County Board of Education: First and third Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Beck Education Center. For details, go to gcsd.k12.sc.us. Georgetown County Council: Second and fourth Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 129 Screven St., Georgetown. For details, go to georgetowncountysc.org. Pawleys Island Town Council: Second Mondays, 5 p.m. Town Hall, 323 Myrtle Ave. For details, go to townofpawleysisland.com.   , .

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