Laura McDonald

Beautiful Laura Jean Weeks McDonald, passed away on November 30, 2024, at the age of 93, while living at Maple Springs of North Logan, Utah. She was born on July 15, 1931, in Logan, Utah, the oldest of four children born to Lawrence G. and Opal Ahlstrom Weeks. Her family lived in Smithfield, Utah for most of her growing up years, with several moves while her father was stationed at various military bases in California and Colorado. 

Laura met the love of her life during her high school years and even though she attended North Cache High School, she fell hard and fast for Lee McDonald, a handsome Logan High School guy, who was friends with her cousin Tony. Shortly after graduation, they were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on June 22, 1949. Lee and Laura didn’t waste any time starting their family and over the next 14 years had seven children: Lee Jr. (Char), Dale (Shannon), Eunice (Edward Ray Hyden), David (Laura), Archie (Cindy), Scott (Mary Ann) and Carolyn (Kurt Benson). They moved around with Lee’s jobs at Boeing (Seattle), Thiokol (Brigham City), Bucyrus-Erie (Pocatello) and Bourns (Logan.) Laura always said she would follow Lee to the ends of the earth and when they moved to Pocatello, she joked, with a sly wink, that you could see if from there. She had a sharp sense of humor and sassy personality, which surprised many because of her angelic outward appearance. They moved into their beloved home in Smithfield Canyon in 1963, where they lived for over 30 years. She was the epitome of a stay-at-home mom of seven kids and a meticulous housewife, who loved making her home a place where everyone felt welcomed, loved, safe and rarely left with an empty stomach. She also lovingly cared for her parents, in their senior years, as well as her grandmother and mother-in-law. Over the years, she somehow found time to also work part-time doing secretarial work at Utah State University, Bucyrus-Erie and Smithfield Implement. She always loved serving in various church positions in Sunday School, Relief Society, Primary and Young Women. Having five boys, you can bet that they were heavily involved in Boy Scouts and served as troop leaders for many years together. When they became empty nesters, they found themselves immersed in and enjoying genealogy work, and together they created several treasured books with incredible family ancestral information, including amazing personal stories and many old photos. Family was always first and foremost to her - past and present. She instilled that value in her children, and she showed it with never-ending love and devotion.

Laura was a woman of many talents and loved cooking/baking, gardening, couponing, macramé, sewing, sketching, crocheting, knitting and created so many beautiful threaded works of art, that are sure to be cherished for generations to come. 

Laura was the proud grandmother of 20 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren and loved spending time with them all. Fond memories were always made at the many family gatherings at grandma and grandpa’s house, family trips and reunions to the Oregon Coast, Bear Lake, Island Park, etc. Sometimes the greatest memories were created just by showing up at their home to visit and usually going home with a fresh loaf of sourdough bread, fresh veggies from the garden, homemade jam or newly knitted socks, sweaters or blankets. She just had a way of making every family occasion or holiday special, even magical, with all her extra special touches. She had a wonderful listening ear and offered sound and loving advice when needed - without judgement. She and Lee were such great examples of true love, not only to each other, but to everyone in the family. You really couldn’t think of one of them without the other, they were quite the team. They were married 68 years before Lee passed away in 2017, and his sweet bride has been heart-broken ever since. Knowing that they are together again and that she will be home for the holidays brings so much joy, happiness and comfort to the family. But they will miss her deeply every day – till they meet again. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Opal Weeks; her three brothers, Gary Weeks, Wendell Weeks and Baby Weeks; husband, Lee R. McDonald; two sons, Lee Jr. and David McDonald; grandson, Ryan McDonald; daughter-in-law, Cindy McDonald; son-in-law, Edward Ray Hyden. 

Special thanks to the great staff at Maple Springs and Aegis Homecare and Hospice, for the kind, caring and tender way they cared for Laura, especially in the last few months as her health declined. 

It was Laura’s wish, and so like her, to have a simple, low-key funeral service. In honoring her request, there will be a viewing on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 10:00 to noon, at the Allen-North Logan Mortuary, 420 East 1800 North, Logan, Utah, with graveside services following at 12:30 p.m., at the Smithfield, Utah Cemetery, 300 East Center, Smithfield, Utah. In lieu of flowers, do as Laura always did, let your family know you love them daily by the loving things you say and do, and “Live and let live.”

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.