Deborah Ann Lester (McDonald)

ST. IGNATIUS — Deborah Ann Lester (McDonald), 54, formerly of St. Ignatius, died Sunday morning, Oct. 23, 2005, in Norman, Okla.

Debbie came into the world on Jan. 23, 1951, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Betty Jean McDonald Lester and Cecil Wesley Lester.

She was a fifth generation McDonald here in the Mission Valley, descended from Angus McDonald and his Nez Perce wife Catherine. She was extremely proud to be a member of the Salish & Kootenai Tribes and equally proud of her Nez Perce heritage, which included The Eagle of the Light Clan, Chief Looking Glass and Chief White Bird.

She was raised by her grandmother, Lydia McDonald, and her uncle, "Boots" McDonald in St. Ignatius. She attended the Ursuline convent school and St. Ignatius High School.

Debbie was married to Ron Tonasket but later divorced. She and Ron had two daughters.

The was preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Lydia (Luddington) McDonald; her parents, Cecil W. and Betty Jean (McDonald) Lester; her younger sister, Dawn Marie "Dawnie" Adams, and an unborn infant lost in an auto accident.

She leaves her daughter, Michelle Tonasket "Punkie" (Joel), her grandsons, Randy, Brett and Bryce Heppler, all of Anaconda, and a granddaughter; daughter, Trisha Datillo and two granddaughters, all of Littleton, Colo.; her sister, Laurie Jean McDonald of Charlo; nieces and nephews, Chelsea Chavira and Michael Delducco of Southern California, Hayley Jean Chavira of Charlo and Dawnie's son, Marcus Gray of Missoula.

Also surviving are her aunt, Gladys McDonald Disney of Polson; uncles, Thomas McDonald of St. Ignatius, Wyman (Thelma) McDonald of Ronan; three half-sisters and a half-brother from Kentucky, and a large extended family.

Her journey has ended here on earth; her pain and troubles are all behind her now, and the reunion with all her loved ones that went before her has begun. Rest, dear one, rest in peace.

A memorial service will be held at noon, Saturday, Oct. 29, in the Longhouse in St. Ignatius.