Jill McDonald (Plainview)

Jill McDonald, age 60, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed peacefully to the presence of her Savior on Thursday, March 23, 2023, in Plainview, TX, after a long battle with cancer which she fought with tenacity and hope. She was born November 14, 1962, in Richland, WA, to the late Darlene Earp and Dale McDonald. She had a head full of dark hair and a glint in her eye which stayed that way her whole life. She was very much loved and welcomed by her family. From the time she was very little her intelligence was apparent as well as her near photographic memory. Her sisters would tell of how they could call her at any time and ask about a story or movie or tune and Jill would instantly know it. She amazed her family with her talents. She always strived for excellence and was one of the smartest, if not the smartest girl in all her grades. A number of times she was able to correct the teacher when the wrong answer was used in class. Jill moved to Colorado Springs, CO, in elementary school and graduated from Wasson High School where she was active in drama. She attended college at Concordia University in Austin, TX, where she met her life-long best friend, Beth Ayala. She continued her college education, ultimately graduating from National American University in Colorado Springs with a degree in accounting and computer science. Jill worked in many different careers before she settled into the field of accounting. She ultimately owned her own business providing expert bookkeeping and tax services to individuals and businesses. She thought of her clients as family and even in her remaining days on earth her thoughts were of them and finding them a replacement for her services. Many of her clients encouraged her throughout her cancer battle and called and sent many cards. She truly loved her work and her clients. Jill was known for her generosity to friends and family. She was always willing to help in any way that she could, and it wasn’t lip service but love put into action. She was an active tutor to her nephews and enjoyed helping them to see the joy in mathematics and science. Jill was also known for her wonderful sense of humor which she inherited from her Dad. They shared many jokes over the years and entertained each other and the rest of the family. Jill could remember any joke she heard from her entire life. Her sisters often noted that she was the smartest and funniest person that they had ever met. She loved bright colors, particularly pink and orange, flowers, especially roses, music, science fiction television shows and movies. Jill loved to travel and lived in many places throughout the country before settling down in Colorado and then in Texas. She traveled with her Mother, and they enjoyed many adventures to Las Vegas, Maryland, North Carolina, Washington, Alabama, and St. Martin just to name a few. Jill professed her life to Christ at an early age and reaffirmed that commitment in the last few years. She loved attending St. Paul Lutheran Church as her health allowed when she was visiting or living in Plainview. She had been meeting with her pastor and enjoyed learning even more about her faith in the months leading to her passing. She loved watching the Waltons and listening to hymns and music gave her great peace in the last year of her life. Jill was a loving and caring daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Darlene Earp, and leaves to cherish her loving memory her father and stepmother Dale and Kathy McDonald, Plainview TX, her sisters Lisa Proctor, Forest Hill, MD and Abby VanDeusen, Colorado Springs, CO, a niece and 2 nephews Rebecca (Lee) Bouldin, Wolfgang VanDeusen, and Ivan VanDeusen, and 2 grandnieces and 1 grandnephew Abigail Bouldin, Benjamin Bouldin, and Susanna Bouldin, and aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was especially close to her cousin Ken (Jennifer) Davis, Colorado Springs, CO and her best friend Beth Ayala and her children, Daniel and Rebecca Ayala. She leaves behind many devoted friends and clients. Memorial services will be held April 1 in Plainview, TX and April 29 in Colorado Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund, 901 Oakland Street, Plainview TX, 79072.