Elizabeth Louise "Betty" McDonald

Elizabeth Louise (“Betty” to everyone) McDonald was born on February 1, 1923 in Wapakoneta, Ohio, to Leah and John Meyer. She passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, December 4, 2020 at the age of 97, the last of the Meyers’ seven children.

Her family had moved to New Mexico in 1934, and while at Santa Fe High School, she met and fell in love with a football player, Lavon McDonald. Upon graduation in 1941 they married, just before Lavon joined the Army Air Corps as a B-24 pilot for the duration of the war. After 68 years of marriage, Lavon died in 2010. Together they had eight children. The first died in infancy, and their daughter, Janice, died in 2008. Surviving children are Joyce Walter (William), Timothy (Janet), R. Thomas, Julie Sharpe (Wayne Knight), Gregory Lavon, and Patti Underwood (Richard). When Betty left us, she also left 14 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, with three more on the way. Every descendent was somehow made to feel they were her “favorite.”

Never idle, she worked as a meter reader during the war, then as a bookkeeper for Galles Motor while helping put Lavon through UNM. Afterwards, for years she ran her own in-house daycare. When her children were grown, Betty went back to bookkeeping, this time for her son-in-law’s Drumm Auto.

Betty was known, admired, and deeply loved by not only her family, but also by practically everyone who knew her. She was generous, tireless, gentle, understanding, and love flowed all around her. Betty took particular pride in the fact, and wanted it mentioned, that she had supported and encouraged her children in their education through college; all of her adult children graduated at least once from UNM. This was the same university where her husband had graduated and years later served as Athletic Director. Naturally, she was a loyal UNM Lobo fan, particularly of basketball and football. In fact, she often proclaimed her love of football – Dallas Cowboys, Notre Dame, and Ohio State in particular. Betty was an accomplished bridge player, and once won a tournament with Vivian Vance (“Ethel Mertz” on I Love Lucy) as her partner. She loved going to the casino and taught many of her children and grandchildren how to play blackjack. This gentle lady also taught all of us etiquette, often saying “If you mind your manners, someday I’ll take you to the Ritz.”

Betty’s legacy of love and inspiration will continue through many generations. She instilled an appreciation for music in all her children and grandchildren, and never heard a sentence or phrase that didn't remind her of a song. We will miss you, Betty Lou. We love you “a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.”

Thus, we lose one of the most wonderful of the Greatest Generation. Betty will be buried with her husband in the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, services will be regretfully limited to the family, but a celebration of her life will be held when circumstances allow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Saint Vincent De Paul Society in care of Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 12500 Carmel Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122 or to the UNM Alumni Scholarship Fund (Albuquerque Chapter, allocation code 200691).