Mary MacLean Obituary

Mary Fay McDonald MacLean COLUMBIA - Mary Fay McDonald MacLean, formerly of Charleston, lived with dedication, love, and purpose up to her last moments on Saturday evening, October 4, 2014. She was 93 years old, much loved, greatly admired, and surrounded by family at her passing. She is survived by her sisters, Jane McDonald Craver and Anne McDonald Bell; her daughters, Marion MacLean and Katharine MacLean Cannady (Mark); her grandchildren, Bryan Cannady (Jennifer), Mary Cannady, and Rachael Cannady; and great-grandchildren, Jessica Cannady, Jacob Cannady, and Ava Cannady. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick H. McDonald and Katharine E. McDonald of Charleston; her husband, Dr. Lester MacLean; and her sister, Katharine M. Jeter. She belonged to the Shandon Presbyterian Church and had lived at the Presbyterian Community in Lexington for many years. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She later moved with her family to Bennettsville, South Carolina, where she graduated from high school. She attended the College of Charleston (Bachelor of Science degree, 1940) and joined the Chi Omega Women's Fraternity (Zeta Gamma chapter), a source for her lifelong friendships. She earned her nursing degree from Johns Hopkins University and her Master's degree in Nursing Education from the University of Chicago. Her long and successful career in nursing began when she served as first lieutenant at the 219th General Hospital in the Army Nurse Corps during WWII. She went on to teach and serve in administrative positions in Chicago and at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. After 34 years in nursing, she retired from the Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center having served there as Associate Chief of Nursing Service for Education. Her dedication to nursing and teaching was clear also through her commitment to and service in the American Nurses Association (three-term past president of District I), the National League for Nursing (past second vice-president for the South Carolina League of Nursing), and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Alpha Xi chapter). Always fascinated by history, she energetically researched the MacLean and the McDonald genealogies. She enjoyed discovering family connections through her membership in the Huguenot Society of South Carolina, the First Families of South Carolina, the South Carolina Genealogical Society (Columbia, SC chapter), the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (University of South Carolina chapter), and the National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century. A memorial service will take place in the chapel at the Presbyterian Community (700 Davega Dr., Lexington, SC) on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfuneralhomedevine.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston