Madison/Cottage Grove – Virginia L. McDonald, age 91, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.

She was born Virginia L. Burns on May 30, 1925, in Lynn, MA to James and Bertha Burns. Virginia worked at General Electric while teaching dance before coming to Madison to teach at the Kehl School of Dance. She moved to Mineral Point, WI to open her own dance studio. She met the love of her life, Ed McDonald, at a dance. They were married in Lynn, MA on April 7, 1951. They made their home on the east side of Madison where she taught dance in her basement studio to neighborhood children. Afterward, she worked for the Madison School District at LaFollette High School serving children again, this time in the kitchen. Virginia and her husband traveled the country up until his passing in 1991. After that she enjoyed her annual Amtrak train rides to both the east and west coasts to visit family. She enjoyed tutoring reading to the 2nd and 3rd graders in Ginnell McDonald’s classes, painting, crafting and making cards. Most of all, she enjoyed her time with family and friends; especially Thanksgiving celebrations at her nephew Dennis McDonald’s cabin. She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and St. Bernard Catholic Church.

Virginia is survived by her children, Kevin and Julie; grandchildren Tim (Raven) and Jamie; many nieces, nephews and wonderful friends including the ‘Lunch Ladies’. She is preceded in death by her husband Ed, son Timothy, parents and brothers Russ, Fran and Walter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2450 Atwood Ave., with Fr. Michael Radowicz officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass on Tuesday at the church. Inurment will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association, American Cancer Society or Second Harvest Food Bank.

Thank you to Dr. Musa and his staff at Dean Clinic and the wonderful caregivers at The Aster House Assisted Living in Cottage Grove. You’re all truly angels for the care and respect you showed her.

A niece summed up Virginia perfectly at her 90th birthday celebration in 2015: “Aunt Virginia, you’re a very special woman and though you may not be what people consider tall, you’re a large gift from God and you have proven to be treasure to us all.”

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Virginia McDonald

May 30, 1925 - November 01, 2016

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