Obituary of Pamala Jean McDonald

Pam McDonald was born on December 26, 1947 in Ludington, Michigan to Don and Lois Wiles. She lived in Ludington until she moved to Clearwater, Florida in 1975. She worked at K-mart where she met her husband, Neil. They were married for 46 wonderful years. Pam and Neil moved from Clearwater to Asheville, North Carolina and eventually to Tucson, Arizona.

Pam loved to crochet and do all types of crafts and puzzles. She loved to travel. Pam went on several cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean Islands and visited many of our beautiful national parks. She especially liked lighthouses. But her greatest love was for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church.

In 2001, Pam and Neil went on their first mission trip to Kenya, Africa. They fell in love with the people and traveled to Kenya on many mission trips, often taking other people from their church with them. Pam and Neil even “adopted” a Kenya family. They refer to them as their son and daughter. Pam loved to tell people about Jesus whenever she had the opportunity.

Pam is survived by her husband, Neil McDonald of Tucson, her sister, Loralee (Ken) McClellan and her brother Don (Connie) Wiles, of Ludington, MI. She is also survived by one aunt (Margie Dewyer), one uncle (Raymond Dewyer) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pam passed peacefully from this life on February 15, 2024 and she is now home in heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Praise God, everyone who is a true follower of Jesus will one day be with her again.

There will be a celebration of life service for Pam on Sunday, March 17 at 4:00 p.m. in the worship center at Mountain View Baptist Church, 3500 W Overton Road, Tucson, AZ. A reception will follow in the atrium.

This will be a time to celebrate the life and ministry of a woman who loved the Lord and other people. In that spirit and in honor of Pam’s love for the color purple, we are asking you to wear red or purple to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to a ministry near and dear to Pam’s heart — Kenya missions. To do that, make out a check to Mountain View Baptist Church and note on the memo line that it’s for “Kenya Missions.”

Or go to mvbctucson.org/give and select “Kenya Missions” from the drop-down menu