Susan A. MacDonald

Visitation for Susan A. MacDonald(nee Stewart), 79, of Palatine since 1973, formerly of Chicago will be held Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine. The visitation will continue Thursday, November 30th at All Saints Lutheran Church, 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private.

The service will be streamed live on the All Saints Lutheran Facebook page starting at 11am Thursday. You can go to https://facebook.com/AllSaintsPalatine

Susan was born August 10, 1944 in Chicago and she passed away November 24, 2023 surround by family.

Susan was the beloved wife of the late Jeffrey MacDonald; loving mother of Robert (Jaclyn) Richardson Jr. and Elizabeth (Brian) Carlson; loving grandmother of Victoria and Alexander Richardson and Jamie and Joseph Carlson; dear daughter of the late James and Elizabeth (Nee Plomin) Stewart; fond sister of James Stewart, and loving aunt and cousin to many.

Susan was a proud Democrat who served as treasurer for GPAD for many years up until 2020, and continued to be the treasurer for many local Democratic and nonpartisan candidates. She had decades of institutional knowledge about the progress of the local Democratic party in Palatine. She first got involved as a Democratic election judge in Palatine back when that was a rarity around here. She went on to be integral to many local campaigns, including Sue Walton's campaign for state representative in the late 1990s to Maggie Trevor's successful campaign for Cook County Board Commissioner last year. She also volunteered and worked with Barack Obama when he was a local candidate.

At every GPAD fundraiser, Susan positioned herself in her motorized scooter at the check-in table so she could greet every candidate, elected official and supporter as they arrived. Even as health issues kept her from many events in recent years, she continued to offer her home for planning meetings and envelope-stuffing parties, including this past summer. For many years she also volunteered for Wheeling Township Democrats. She had a sharp wit, a long memory, and fighter's passion for helping Democratic causes, especially women’s rights and diversity and inclusion for all. She was so proud to see Palatine Township elect so many Democrats these last few years. Susan was also active in her church, cooking and providing meals for local PADSshelter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to the All Saints Lutheran PADS. Memorials can be made out to All Saints Lutheran c/o PADS 630 S. Quentin Road, Palatine, IL 60067