Aretha Yvonnie McDonald

Aretha Yvonnie McDonald, affectionately known as Sister Mac, passed away on April 5, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, devotion, and enduring love. Born on January 14, 1943, Aretha's life was a shining example of dedication both in her personal relationships and her professional career. For 40 years, she served with compassion and unwavering commitment as a nurse at Kings Highway Hospital, now Mt. Sinai-Brooklyn Hospital, until her retirement.

Aretha was a beloved member of the Poinciana Seventh-day Adventist Church and proudly associated with the 1199 union. Her vibrant personality was marked by a smile that could warm any heart and a presence that filled any room with love. Those who knew her remember her joy in simple pleasures such as shopping and singing, activities that reflected her zest for life and brought her great happiness.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, George and Linetta Wint, her cherished husband of 50 years, Raphel S. McDonald, and her sister, Elleta Greene. These profound losses deeply shaped her life, yet her strength and loving spirit never wavered.

Aretha’s surviving family members carry forward her memory and the values she so dearly embodied. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Dorian Stewart and son-in-law Patrick Stewart, her son Douglas McDonald, and her daughter Kaye Jeremiah along with son-in-law Andrew Jeremiah. Her legacy lives on through her six precious grandchildren: Dynasia, Douglas McDonald, Amia, Daniel, Gianna Jeremiah, and Nylah Stewart. Aretha was also deeply connected to her siblings Rose Patterson, Archibald (Pat), Parline, and Dynesdal (Carol) Wint, and embraced her extended family including her siblings-in-love Calvin (Adrienne), Derwent, Janet, and Stephen McDonald.

On April 26, 2026, family, friends, and loved ones will gather to honor Aretha’s life and memory beginning with visitation from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Poinciana SDA Church, located at 4948 Old Pleasant Hill Rd in Kissimmee, Florida. The funeral service will follow from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM, providing a sacred time for reflection, remembrance, and celebration of a life well lived. Interment will conclude the day’s ceremonies at Rose Hill Cemetery, 1615 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, beginning at 1:30 PM.

Aretha McDonald’s smile, her nurturing spirit, and her boundless love remain etched in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know her. She was more than a nurse, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, and a grandmother—she was a beacon of kindness and grace. Though her physical presence has passed, the warmth she shared continues to ignite the hearts of her family and community, reminding us all of life’s most precious gifts: love, compassion, and unwavering faith.

In remembering Aretha Yvonnie McDonald, we hold close the gentle strength behind her smile and the profound love that defined her every day. May her soul rest in eternal peace.