Parry, Barbara Macdonald

Orono, MN – In loving memory of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Barbara Macdonald Parry, age 98, of Orono, MN passed away on April 25, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Verna Ellison; husband, William Gordon Macdonald; son, Thomas William Macdonald, and husband, James Thomas Parry. She is survived by daughter, Mary Macdonald Hatcher (Kevin); son, David Howard Macdonald (Ellen); grandchildren, Ilona Macdonald, Kristina Macdonald Knutson (Josh), and great-grandchildren, Lana Macdonald, Kyle Knutson, Abby Knutson, Riley Knutson.

Barbara was born in Madison, Wisconsin but soon the family moved to Edina where she attended Wooddale Elementary and a move to Minneapolis graduating from Washburn High School in 1945.

Barbara attended the University of Minnesota in Art Education along with training to become a member of the US Cadet Nurse Corp during WWII. She took a break from school to marry the boy next door, Bill Macdonald. They enjoyed many years of raising their children, hosting amazing dinner and cocktail parties, joined a ballroom dance club, bridge clubs, and family picnics, outings, and many summers at Weigelwood resort in northern Minnesota until Bill's death in 1979.

Barbara was active and held leadership roles in St. Andrew's Society, Eastern Star and PEO. She was a volunteer at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Children's Hospital, Southdale Fairview Hospital, and active in her church choir, altar guild, women's group, and vestry. She worked as a church secretary at St John's Episcopal Church for a number of years and then moved on to work for the Minnesota Heart Association until her retirement.

Retirement did not slow her down, In 1991, Barbara married Thomas Parry and they enjoyed many years of extensive travel, Zurah Shrine pipe band, and MN Rotary activities. Tom died in 2014.

In addition to her many activities, she was an accomplished artist in needle work and painted dishes. Many of which she gave as gifts to family and friends. But, one of her biggest accomplishments was going back to school in her sixties to complete her college degree. She was an inspiration to all of us.

Barbara's love, wisdom, gentle kindness, and guidance will be greatly missed. She died on her terms after many years fully embracing and enjoying life, family, and friends.

Private family services will be held.