Wanda Chagnon Mcdonald

A bright light in the Universe was extinguished when Wanda McDonald, of Plattsburgh, NY, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, June 24th, 2021.

Wanda’s formative years, during the Great Depression and WWII, were greatly influenced by membership in St. Mary’s Parish in Champlain, NY. She excelled academically, and by all accounts, kept the good sisters of St. Mary’s Academy vexed and bewildered by her good natured high jinx. Wanda loved music, she played the church organ at Mass, and loved skiing and playing tennis.

After high school, Wanda moved to Plattsburgh so that she could attend Plattsburgh Teacher’s College where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Education. After teaching in local elementary schools for a few years, Wanda transferred her efforts and talents to raising her four children.

Wanda became a single parent at the age of 34, in an era where this was an exception, and not common practice. Through her continued juggling of work and home responsibilities,and with some slight of hand, she managed to keep her family together. The primary reason for this was undoubtedly the fact that all her important decisions were not made based upon her own self-interest, but rather the good of her family as a whole. Perhaps that which she was most proud of was that all four of her children received scholarships and graduated from four year colleges.

In addition to teaching, Wanda had a varied employment history. She worked in the Guidance Office at Plattsburgh High School in the 1960’s. During her forties and fifties, Wanda returned to college and earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science which served her well in her position of Librarian at Plattsburgh State’s Feinberg Library. After retiring from Plattsburgh State, Wanda managed, and then owned, Half-Price Bookstore in downtown Plattsburgh well into her seventies.

Wanda is predeceased by her parents, Alexis Chagnon and Viola (Langlois) Chagnon, and by her grandson, Jeffrey Joseph McDonald. She is survived by her four children: Paul McDonald and wife Fiona McDonald of Cork, Ireland; Jane King of Burlington, VT; Jeffrey and Claudine McDonald of Pittsburgh, PA; Stephen and his wife Christina McDonald of Plattsburgh, NY. By four grandchildren; Brendan McDonald and partner Sara Velett of Plattsburgh; Evan McDonald and wife Allyson McDonald of Saranac, NY; Genevieve King of Burlington, VT; Maeghan McDonald and partner Joseph Viapiano of Angola, NY. She is also survived by her four great-grandchildren. Especially, she is survived by her sister, and her family’s guardian angel, Jane Chagnon of Plattsburgh, NY.

Wanda was always on the lookout for a cause to fight for, notably in her support of Civil Rights and her opposition to the Vietnam War. She was also the champion of the underdog. Beware to anyone of privilege who attempted to mis-treat someone less fortunate. Finally, Wanda was a woman of principle. Many times in her life she decided to stand up for that which she viewed as morally or ethically correct, even if this was to her own detriment. Her presence made the world a better place and she will be missed dearly by all who knew her.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. Funeral services will follow at 6:00 pm in the Brown Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be in St. Amadeus Cemetery in Alburgh, Vermont.
Arrangements entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.