Virginia McDonald, 89

Virginia (Staley) McDonald, 89, of Hayden, Idaho, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. She was surrounded by family and close friends in the weeks and days preceding her passing.  

Born on Dec. 13, 1934, in Seattle, Wash., to Dr. Robert Earl Staley, M.D., and Dorothy Linaberry Staley, the second of five children, the family soon moved to Kellogg, Idaho, where Virginia spent her childhood and young adult years. Graduating from Kellogg High School in 1953, Virginia treasured her Kellogg years and remained close to many friends from her school years. Virginia could always find a Kellogg connection no matter where in the country she was. 

Virginia graduated from the University of Idaho in 1957 with a degree in elementary education and spent her first year teaching in Richland, Wash. Virginia met her husband, B.K. (Bud) McDonald, at The University of Idaho. They married June 11, 1958. After several years in Lakewood, Calif., Bud and Virginia moved to Lake Oswego, Ore., with their three daughters, Lisa, Nancy and baby Annie. Virginia was very involved with Christ Episcopal Church, the Campfire Girls organization and volunteering with one of the girls' classrooms. While living in Oregon, Virginia loved spending her weekends and summer months at their Central Oregon home at Black Butte Ranch, with frequent trips to Hawaii and Mexico.

The McDonalds moved back to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in 1980 after renovating Bud's childhood home on East Lakeshore Drive. Both were so happy to be back in their "home" state. They worked tirelessly with the University of Idaho Alumni Association, serving as presidents of the parents' association and receiving the Jim Lyle Volunteerism Award for their involvement. They loved spending weekends in Moscow, visiting their friends and daughters in college (sometimes to the girls' dismay), and hosting an annual Labor Day weekend party for their daughters and their friends at their house on Lake Coeur d'Alene. Virginia enjoyed spending time on the golf course and boating on Lake Coeur d'Alene with family and friends. She was an avid needle pointer, with her home filled with many wonderful needlepoint projects.

Virginia was blessed to have so many amazing friends; from her youth, her time in both California and Oregon, and when she returned to Idaho. We are so grateful and appreciative of the many people who loved and cared for her throughout her years.  

Virginia is survived by her brother, Robert (Buck) Staley, of Portland, Ore., daughters Lisa Rimsa of Palo Alto, Calif., and Nancy (Edward) Bergdorf of Snohomish, Wash., and her four beloved grandchildren, Alexander, Christian, Mikayla and Thomas — these wonderful young adults held her heart from the minute they were born. Virginia leaves behind her sweet dog, Jojo, who is joining Auntie Nancy's dog pack in Washington. Virginia is preceded in death by her husband, B.K. (Bud) McDonald; her daughter, Anne Margaret McDonald; her son-in-law, Joseph Rimsa; and her siblings, Jean Morton, Linda Benson and Michael Staley.

A celebration of life will be held for Virginia in the near future.

In lieu of flowers, Virginia's family suggests donations to either the Burgess Kay "Bud" and Virginia Staley McDonald Scholarship, c/o University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Drive — MS 3143, Moscow, ID 83844-3143, www.uidaho.edu or Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83815.