Louise Joyce McDonald

Louise McDonald, 96, a longtime resident of Wilkes-Barre, passed into eternal life with her daughters at her bedside at home on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Born September 30, 1928 in Pittston she was a daughter of the late John and Irene Moffitt Joyce.

Raised in Pittston, Louise graduated from St. John's High School, after which she worked at the Comerford Theater in Wilkes-Barre. There, she met and married her husband, George McDonald. After raising her family, Louise returned to work at Social Security in Wilkes­-Barre until her retirement.

Louise was a member of Holy Saviour Church, where she served on the Altar and Rosary Society and taught second-grade CCD. Louise had the extraordinary ability to make everyone feel welcome at her home, hosting many family get-togethers. We will all especially cherish her annual Christmas Eve parties, which were a must for all her family. 

She loved her family dearly, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were very dear to her. She had an uncanny talent for making each of them believe they were her favorite.

Her husband, George A. McDonald, died on August 31, 1985. Her sister Jean Flaherty and brother William Joyce also preceded her in death.

Her daughters Eileen Rhines, Lou Ann and her husband Ted Stark, Bonnie and her husband Steve Marucci, and Jean and her husband Wyndham Evans; grandchildren Bill Rhines, Julie (John) Cosell, Jen (Joe) Lovett, Mark Rhines, Ted (Liz), Laura (Bill) and Katy (Karl) Stark, Kristine (Tim) Evans, Joe and Elizabeth (Bill) Mulaski, George, Chris, Emily and John Evans; great-grandchildren Rory and Mark Evans, Isabella and Jack Cosell, Efron, Drew, Luke and Lily Lovett, McKenna Rhines, Alice Stark, Billy and Violet Schmauch, and Jane Kvashay; and other family and friends will miss her very much. 

Celebration of Louise's Life takes place on Monday, May 19, 2025, in the Church of Exaltation of the Holy Cross, 420 Main Road, Buttonwood, Hanover Township. Visitation begins at 9 AM, and a Funeral Mass begins at 10 AM. Share memories and condolences with Louise's family at mjmclaughlin.com