Rose McDonald

May 18, 1928 -

Jan 30, 2023

Rose Caroline (Mercier) McDonald, beloved grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, died on Jan. 30, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by her family. She was 94 years old.

Rose was born in Lewiston, Idaho, on May 18, 1928, to Richard and Margaret (Wolf) Turnbull. She lived there until moving with her family to Richland, Wash., in 1944. She graduated from Richland's Colombia High School in 1945, and married Jerome Mercier in March 1946. Jerry was in the Army and was stationed in Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Devens, Mass.; Long Island, N.Y.; Fort Smith, Ark.; and Santa Fe, N.M. In January 1956, the family moved to Alaska to work with Rose's mother and stepfather, Margaret and John DeLozier, in their business: Alaska Towing and Wrecking (AT&W). She fell in love with Alaska and never considered leaving.

Rose was a telephone operator, worked at AT&W, worked for Internal Revenue Service, was part owner of Remember When Antiques with daughter Tamara and friend LaDonna Torczon for several years and then co-owner of Guido's Pizza with her husband Ray and son Rick "Guido" until she retired.

Rose was an avid collector. She loved anything antique or vintage. One of her favorite collections besides Christmas was her dolls - she had hundreds - and all doll related items. Mom loved going to garage sales and thrift stores - before it was cool - and had a booth at the flea market in the old Sports Arena on Fireweed for years. She met and made many lifelong friends through her collecting. She was also one of the early members of the Inunewok Doll Club. She was president and vice president several times and enjoyed attending many National Doll Conventions.

Family was very important to her especially all her children and grandchildren. In addition to attending her kids and grandkids sporting events and activities, she was a member of the PTA and often a room mother. She taught CCD at St. Nicholas, helped with Brownies and was a Cub Scout Leader.

She was the heart of our family. Her home was the place where all important family events took place: Christmas, of course - her tree was up all year round - Thanksgiving, birthdays, showers - baby and bridal - and game nights - her favorite son-in-law Mark wouldn't go home until he won.

Mom loved company. Our friends were her friends too. It was not uncommon to come home and find friends sitting and visiting with Mom. Everyone was always welcome. The first thing she said when anyone came into the house was always "Would you like something to eat?"

When any of us or our children were sick, we could always count on Mom. Her freezer had ice cream, popsicles and Pepsi - later she would switch to real Coke. She believed those three items could cure any ailment: the ill would lay on her couch, watch TV and be pampered.

Her grandchildren adored her. If you spent Saturday night at grandma's you were expected to go to church with her Sunday morning. She was a hugger, and according to them gave the best hugs ever. She used to leave red lipstick kisses on them. You could always tell when they'd been to Grandma's. Most of them remember being paid or otherwise coerced into rubbing her back.

Mom appreciated conveniences. She was one of the first mothers in the neighborhood to buy tv dinners and feed the kids on paper plates. She was a great fan of McDonalds and usually had a meal a day from them. We swear that her dislike of ever breaking a sweat and daily intake of Coke and McDonalds contributed to her longevity. She was also very fond of chocolate - candy, cookies, pie, Ovaltine - and consumed it daily.

Our mother was a remarkable woman who had her own opinions and beliefs but never seemed to have a problem accepting those whose beliefs or lifestyles were different from hers. Her children, their families and others she cared about knew she loved them no matter what. She was the best mother and grandmother ever and we are so grateful she was ours.

She is survived by children, Tamara Phillips, Darlene Anderson, Richard Mercier (Becki) and Margelaine Wisthoff (Mark); grandchildren, Rose Collins, Theresa Wagner, Candace Sharp, Sonja Lund (Toby), Jer Mercier (Chrystalle), Megan Mercier, Jeremy Mercier (Caren), Travis Mercier (Anna), Ryan Mercier (Sally), Ariel Harbison (IntiMayo), Elaina Ludeman (Matthew), Brittay Harding (Josh); Kristopher Wisthoff (Jenny), Dylan Wisthoff (Ericka); great-grandchildren, Devon Wagner, Aaron Collins, Forrest Larson, Hunter Parrish, Ahnna Mercier, Anthony Mercier, LaShawntae Reape, Addy Mercier, Jason Mercier, Brooklyn Mercier, Hannah Mercier, Matthew Mercier, Gwen Mercier, Adaline Ludeman, Miles Harding, Wyatt Wisthoff, Sawyer Wisthoff; and great-great-grandson, Sebastian Mercier. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Juanita Schafer; brothers-in-law, Lewis McDonald (Marian), Elmer McDonald (Alta), Wayne McDonald; and several nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by honorary children, Michael Goedde, Richard Letts and David Lahti; best friend, Marcia Swanson; and all the ladies of Doll Club.

She was predeceased by her son, Jerome "Bub" Mercier; husbands, Jerome Mercier and Raymond McDonald; and sister, Grace Willis.

We would like to thank the staff at All About Care who cared for our mother so lovingly this past year, especially Carol, her favorite.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, 3900 Wisconsin St., Anchorage, AK 99517. A Celebration of Life will follow at Guido Pizza, 549 West International Airport Road in Anchorage.