SHENANDOAH - Tuesday's meeting of Downtown Shenandoah Inc. began on a somber note as the board of directors held a moment of silence in memory of the passing of President Valerie E. Macdonald.
DSI Vice President/Treasurer Karen Kenderdine chaired the meeting.
"Before we start the meeting, may we have a moment of silence for our president, Valerie Macdonald," Kenderdine said.
Macdonald, 74, passed away on Sunday at Shenandoah Senior Living Community. Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, Macdonald earned a bachelor's degree in biology, a master's degree in marine biology and immunohematology and earned her doctorate from New York University.
After leaving academia in 1978, she entered the pharmaceutical diagnostic industry, working for many of the top pharmaceutical companies, and also was quality assurance director for five blood banks in Florida before retiring and permanently moving to Shenandoah in 1998.
When she moved to Shenandoah to stay, she became very involved with her new community, starting the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society in 1998, where she currently served as president. Under her guidance, the historical society launched Heritage Day, a celebration of the borough's ethnic cultural mix, and the following year the Parade of Nations was born. The annual ethnic celebration eventually was taken over by DSI. This year's event is Aug. 23.
Macdonald's connection to community organizations included Shenandoah Rotary Club and the Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce, having served both organizations as president. She was also a member of the Community Action Volunteers, Gaudenzia Foundation Community Volunteer committee and the board of directors of the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau.
The DSI board members discussed their late friend during the meeting. Most said they were unaware that she had a doctorate and held such important positions in her career.
"Val marched in every parade except last year since I've been involved. She always had that Scottish outfit," Kenderdine said.
"What if we have name that pathway in the (Girard) park something like Val Macdonald Lane?" DSI member Peg Rejent asked.
Some suggestions were to place something personal to her in one of the parade cars. DSI Executive Director Mary Luscavage said that Macdonald was a parade grand marshal.
"Maybe we can decorate a car or a float in her honor," DSI member Anne Taylor said.
Kenderdine said DSI could consider getting flowers or making a donation to a cause she cared for but instead suggested another avenue.
"Knowing Val, I think she would rather we do something to beautify the town as a permanent benefit to the community," Kenderdine said.
Luscavage said the Pennsylvania Anthracite Miners Memorial was important to Macdonald. She said the memorial could use some improvements, and DSI has received funds from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation to make improvements, particularly work on the stone caps on the monument and the addition of a plaque in her honor.
"We can do the repairs, do whatever needs to be done, in her memory," Luscavage said.
A letter will be sent to Shenandoah Borough Council to request permission to work on the memorial.