Kay (McArdle) McDonald, 93, Madison, died at her home on Sept. 22, 2016. She was proud to have lived so long. The first 90 years were full of family, faith, kids, politics, the usual accidents and illnesses, family activities and challenges. She was always able to bounce back and persevere.
The last several years, a combination of medical issues made that more difficult. Oh, how she hated to be ‘old’ and unable to jump in the car and just go. She always believed she could lick her weight in wildcats.
She was born the second child, and first daughter of the late Thomas and Catherine McArdle of Darlington, on Dec. 3, 1922, during a blizzard. She grew up during the Depression, which formed her willingness and determination to work hard, pinch pennies, ‘do it herself’ rather than pay someone to do anything for her.
She married John J. McDonald of Darlington on Feb. 26, 1946, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Darlington. They moved to Argyle in 1952 and rented a home for several years, then purchased an older four-bedroom home on the last street in town. She threw herself into repairs, painting and home improvement. She knew or learned how to do each step of every project and was always a great housekeeper. She accomplished all of this while actively belonging to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Argyle’s Women’s Club, reading every chance she got, and having happy, healthy children.
For the next 20 years, they were the busy parents of five daughters and one son and all of the school and church activities the family enjoyed.
In 1960, she became actively involved in Democratic politics and was instrumental in bringing candidate John F. Kennedy to speak in the Community Building on April 1, 1960.
As Brian (the youngest) grew up and John retired, Kay joined the local newspaper staff on a part-time basis and loved it. After John died she became very active on the Argyle Village Board. She enjoyed meals, card games and weekend trips with her gal pals prior to selling her home in Argyle and moving to Lake Placid, Fla., in 1996. She would drive alone back and forth to Wisconsin each summer to visit.
She returned to Madison in 2005 after an accident to be closer to her family. She especially loved little kids; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all of those who visited her over the years. She was often known to take them for rides on her walker. She was a woman of deep faith who also loved the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badger sports teams, card games, and a good discussion/argument about politics. There was always only one right answer.
Survivors include five of her children, Bernie (Dan) Stoudt, Madison, Patti (John) Herda, Burlington, Jan Kaster, Sun Prairie, Erin (Jeff) Yarrows, Southampton, Mass., Brian (Susanna), El Paso, Texas; brother, Dick McArdle, Rockton, Ill.; sister, Elaine Boardman, Spring Valley; sisters-in-law, Barbara J. McArdle, Madison, and Marilyn McArdle, Monroe; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; cousins; nieces; nephews; friends; neighbors and card playing buddies.
She was further preceded in death by her husband in 1982; grandson, Will in 1998; daughter, Gail in 2007; brothers, Tom, Bill and Ed McArdle; sister, Teenie White and her husband Whitey; brother-in-law, Chuck Boardman; sisters-in-law, Jan McArdle and Barb McArdle; in-laws, Thomas and Almeda McDonald, all her husband’s siblings and spouses, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Many, many thanks to the family, friends, neighbors, Father Bart Timmerman and the supportive St. Thomas Aquinas staff, the Waterford staff, Home Health United nurses and medical staff who assisted Mom and the family over the past several years. She appreciated every visit, call, card, cookie, ice cream treat, and candy bar brought by family and friends.
Visitation is Thursday, Sept. 29, from 4-7 p.m., at Ellestad Camacho Funeral Home, 500 N. 8th St., Mt. Horeb. The family will also greet mourners Friday, Sept. 30, from 10-10:45 a.m., at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, with the funeral Mass starting at 11 a.m. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately following. Kay will be buried later that day next to her beloved husband and daughter at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Darlington.
Well-wishers can visit www.camachofuneralhomes.com.
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