Anita G. MacDonnell

Anita G MacDonnell, 94, went home to her Lord and Savior on July 4, 2026 in Sevierville, TN. She was born July 30, 1931 in Bronx, NY to the late Edward and Anna (Newton) Ratford. She married the love of her life, David J MacDonnell, on April 22, 1950 and lovingly raised her sons, Gary and Dave, in the Washington Heights area of Manhattan. In 1955, she went to work at NY Presbyterian Columbia Medical Center in the accounting department, joining her husband who worked in telecommunications. During this season, she created heartwarming memories for her family. After 35 years of service, she and her husband retired to Pinellas Park, FL, where they enjoyed the Gulf beaches and fishing with family. Subsequent to the passing of her beloved husband in 2005, she relocated to Temecula, CA with her lifelong best friend and coworker, Anne McElroy, to live near her son, Gary. During these years, she treasured her relationships with her Californian granddaughters, Jennifer and Dina, as well as her young great-grandchildren. After the death of her dear friend Anne in 2013, Anita relocated to the northwest suburbs of Chicago to live near her son, Dave. Here, she was able to spend time with her Midwestern granddaughters, Taylor and Carley. In 2021, Anita made her final move to Sevierville, TN when her son Dave retired to the Smoky Mountains. It was here at the age of 90 that Anita received a life-changing cochlear implant that enriched her quality of life after decades of profound hearing loss. The last five years of her life’s journey were filled with purpose, spiritual enrichment and beautiful friendships at her independent senior community. She will be fondly remembered for her immense generosity, meticulous record keeping, love of old Hollywood classics and most of all, her devotion to God and love for her family. As a true patriot and lover of all animals, Anita supported many charities for veterans and animals in need. In lieu of flowers, consolitors are encouraged to make memorial contributions to the charity of their choosing. She is preceded in death and joyfully greeted into heaven by her husband of 55 years, David J MacDonnell; parents, Edward and Anna Ratford; siblings, Vincent Ratford and Jeanne Thierrin; and sisters-in-law, Delores Hostomsky and Maureen MacDonnell. She was greatly loved and is survived by her sons, Gary (Kristy) MacDonnell and Dave (Brenda) MacDonnell; brother-in-law Allen MacDonnell; granddaughters, Jennifer (Chris) Hofmann, Dina McElrath, Taylor and Carley MacDonnell; and great-grandchildren, Rylee, Ava, and Christopher Hofmann Jr., Grant and Peyton Nast, Killian McElrath, and Hayden Esparza. A private rememberance will be held on her 95th birthday amongst her dear friends and family at the Iris B. Vest Spirit Care Center.