Alice von Maur McDonald

Alice von Maur McDonald died on June 8, 2022, after living a life with style and grace and exemplifying what it meant to be a truly good and decent human being.  

Alice was born on February 7, 1928, in Davenport, Iowa, to Elsie Wood and Richard Baldwin von Maur. After graduating from St. Katherines, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico.  Alice was introduced to her future husband Donald F. McDonald by her mother. They shared a love of music and a dedication to the symphony, and were married on September 19, 1953. Alice and Don spent fifty happy years traveling extensively, but maintained a strong connection to their home in Pleasant Valley, where they raised their four children.

Alice worked tirelessly in her garden overlooking the Mississippi River, which showcased her award-winning roses. Though her children ventured west and abroad to start their own families, Pleasant Valley remained homebase. Visiting ‘Peaches’ became a hallmark of Alice’s eight grandchildren’s lives. She cultivated a home away from home, which nurtured the strong bond among her grandchildren; this was her greatest legacy.

Alice also loved giving back to her community, including through service to the Junior Symphony Board, the Junior League, the Gray Lady Division of the American Red Cross, and the Alter Guild at Trinity Cathedral. Alice also enjoyed and excelled at many hobbies such as tennis, horse riding, swimming, and skiing.

Alice is survived by her children Ann McDonald, Holly McDonald, Scott McDonald, and Brooke (Marc) Maudhuit; her grandchildren Katherine Lewis and Robyn (Alex) Joyner, Alicia (Kraig) Gadsby, Meghan and Madeleine McDonald, and Alexander, Oliver, and Eric Maudhuit; her great-grandchildren Dylan and Paige Gadsby; her sister-in-law Mrs. Richard von Maur, brother Charles (Nancy) von Maur; and and six nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with her own generous soul, memorials may be made to the Deanery School of Music, Camp Courageous, or the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra.  Memorial services for Mrs. McDonald will be held at 4pm on Friday, September 16, 2022, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Davenport.  The family will receive friends from 2:45pm until time of service on Friday at the church.  Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.