Obituary of Margaret Ellen Early-MacDonald

Margaret Ellen (Kinsella) Early-MacDonald peacefully passed away on October 21, 2015 in Washougal, WA. She was 87 years old. Margaret was born to Margaret and Alan Kinsella on July 19, 1928 in Heartland, North Dakota. In 1946, Margaret entered nurses training in Minot, North Dakota. Margaret married Richard Early and together, they moved to Clark County in 1952 and Margaret began working as a nurse at St. Joseph’s shortly thereafter. Margaret continued working as a nurse until her retirement from Kaiser Permanente at age 58. She divorced in 1979 and enrolled at Olympia Technical College to continue her nursing studies. Margaret worked in long term care for the Veteran’s Administration in Vancouver, WA for five years, until she retired after 47 total years of dedicated service. Later in her life, Margaret moved to the Oregon coast with her second husband, Duncan MacDonald. Here she dedicated her time assisting with hospice work, children’s reading programs and the Clatsop County Democrats. She loved walking along the beautiful Columbia River and keeping the flowers tended at her home. Margaret made her way back to Clark County and joined a community at Vista Court apartments in Vancouver. She continued her spirit of giving and volunteered her time with the local food pantry and walking downtown Vancouver and passing out hats or scarves, and sometimes cookies, to those in need. Margaret was a compassionate and loving woman who lived her life serving others. Margaret is survived by her husband, Duncan MacDonald, of Washougal, three children; Gregory Early, Thomas Early and Mary Wallace (Virgil); four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Margaret also leaves behind seven siblings: Dolores Carriel (Bill), Pat Blesener, Joan Blesener, Pauline Yoshida (Roy), Rita Fitzpatrick; Dean Kinsella (Colleen), Jerry Kinsella (Judy) and Leo Kinsella (Pam). Margaret is preceded in death by her two children, Richard Jr. and Joanne and sister, Regina Abrahamson. The family will hold a private family service at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of Brown's Funeral Home.