July 4, 2024, Jessie Marie (Wilson) MacDonald went to be with her Lord and Savior, one day after her 89th birthday.
Jessie was born July 3, 1935, on her maternal grandparents’ homestead outside Orofino, near Jim Ford Creek. No electricity or plumbing, but it was full of love and family. She spent much of her younger years living and visiting on both this homestead and her paternal grandparents’ homestead at Arrow Junction, outside Lewiston. Family was important to Jessie and she enjoyed visiting them.
At age 5, Jessie’s father was in a serious logging accident leaving him with several lifelong infirmities impacting the entire family. For two months Jessie’s family moved in with relatives in Orofino near the hospital. Her mother had to find work. Jessie admired how her father, who was so badly injured, never let it get him down, even when it cost him a much needed job.
Eventually, Jessie’s family moved to North Lewiston and built a home. Jessie loved to tell anyone who would listen about how her parents built the house with their own four hands, her father crippled and her mother hand sanding all the knotty pine boards.
In 1955, at the age of 20, she married her husband of 50 years, Manly MacDonald. They lived and worked in Spokane/Coeur d’Alene where they had their daughter Shannon. They then moved to Lewiston, and two years later, they had their daughter Carmel and six years later, son Michael.
In 1972, after the passing of her father, Jessie inherited the home her parents built. Jessie lived there the rest of her life, passing away at home, which is what she wanted. She loved the house and neighborhood. Many family heirlooms found their way to Jessie’s home. She shared the stories behind each heirloom with her children and grandchildren, even when they didn’t want to listen.
In the mid-’80s both she and Manly now in their late 40’s became politically active to stop property tax increases in North Lewiston for retired and fixed income residents who couldn’t afford them. Jessie served on Planning & Zoning Commission, participated in every local election, helped her husband get elected to city council and organized neighborhood meetings. Jessie worked over 40 years as a bookkeeper in Lewiston. She volunteered at both Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary and St. Stanislaus Elementary, where her children attended.
Jessie was interred at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens with Manly, her parents and several other family members including her little brother Milton, who she remained especially close to until his death in 1997. Jessie is survived by her three children, Shannon Twitchell, Carmel Donohue and Michael MacDonald; seven grandchildren: Shanel Siler, Jenny Donohue, Kyle Twitchell, PJ Donohue, Macy MacDonald, Wilson MacDonald and Silas MacDonald; three great-grandchildren, Luke and Bo Siler and Poppi Jane Donohue.
A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14, at 2611 4th Ave N Lewiston. Her son will speak and then anyone else who wishes. This will be followed by a potluck. Feel free to bring your lawn chair and favorite dish to share.
