Beloved Patricia Louise McDonald Macura passed away peacefully at 5:35 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021, at Vassar Brothers’ Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY with her family by her side.
Patricia Louise Macura was born to Walter and Florence McDonald on December 15, 1934, at Sharon Hospital. She married John Macura from Granville, NY on June 16, 1956. The two quickly settled on an acre of land on Leedsville road, where they built their home and raised their family. Mom leaves behind her daughter Elaine, son John Adam, daughter-in-law Patti, granddaughter Juliana, daughter Melissa and son-in-law Brian, and daughter Nadine, as well as two four-legged grand-dogs Baxter and Ringo. Patricia was predeceased by her husband John in October 2017, and eldest daughter Susan Macura in November 2020. Patricia is also survived by her four siblings, Mary Ellen Downey, Walter (Bud) McDonald, Anne Cutolo, and Joseph McDonald.
John and Patricia were traditionalists…winters for the family included skiing weekends at local spots (Jug End, Bittersweet, Hob Nob), ice skating at the Spingarn estate, snowmobiling all over the surrounding Meili farm trails and fields, and sledding adventures at the Erskine field. Mom packed lunches, dry clothes, and equipment for all. At the day’s end, there was always mom’s hot chocolate and peanut butter crackers. Summers were spent in the above ground swimming pool constructed by dad and Uncle Bud and expanded for height as we grew. Mom lived for the pool! Other adventures included the annual school skip day to attend the Danbury Fair, and family picnics in the backyard.
After raising her children, moms’ sister Mary Ellen introduced Mom to the estate sale world. We didn’t know the obsession and love Mom would have for cleaning and selling other people’s contents. She literally filled our family home from others! In later years, she volunteered as the “Christmas Lady” at the annual Hotchkiss August Habitat for Humanity tag sale.
By far her favorite years began in 1999, when she became a grandma to Juliana. She was born to be a grandma whether it be playing in her jewelry box or playing dress up for hours. She also excelled at running “Macura camp” for years at the Leedsville house for Juliana and her friends for the summers. She loved school sick days, summer vacations, and holidays, as she knew that she would be able to spend time with her granddaughter. She and Juliana bought fresh fruit on their daily excursions to Paley’s Farm Market or try out new recipes they found on her favorite food network shows.
Patricia was a baker like no other…did not believe in or tolerate cake mix…she was old school. In her last year during the Covid pandemic, she baked a Bundt cake each week and began an obsession with building puzzles. She was all about family!
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at Hufcut Funeral Home, 3159 Route 22, Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at the Immaculate Conception Church, Lavalle Rd., Amenia. Burial will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Amenia.
At Patricia’s request, in lieu of flowers, please support the Amenia Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 166, Amenia, NY 12501. To send the family an online condolence, please visit http://www.hufcutfuneralhome.com.
