Paula Camel McDonald
PAULA CAMEL MCDONALD
On Wednesday, April 26, 2017, God called Paula Camel McDonald home to heaven. She was 64 years old. Paula was born in Ronan to Alice and Henry Camel on Nov. 27, 1952. She was one of 14 children.
Growing up in the shadows of the Mission Mountains in Ronan fostered a love for the outdoors and helped to strengthen the bonds between Paula and her many siblings. Folks who talk about Paula’s childhood almost always comment on the athleticism of the entire family. Paula was able to use her athleticism to become a two-time state champion on the Ronan High School track team.
Paula enjoyed her athleticism and played adult league softball and basketball for many years. After graduating high school in 1971, Paula moved from Ronan to Missoula. There she attended the University of Montana until 1974, when she married Terry McDonald. They relocated to Vallejo, Calif., where Terry was stationed in the Navy. She completed a Technical Degree at the Vallejo Community College.
She began her career in California working as a Human Resources Administrator and Event Coordinator. She worked many different places across the western U.S following her husband’s naval career. In 1982, she moved with her husband and two daughters, Carma and Angela, to Columbia, Miss., where she resided until her death.
Paula had a creative soul. Her hobbies included Native American beadwork, pottery, jewelry, dream catchers, and stained glass. She was a talented artist who turned those hobbies into a business with her own website and art shows. She was able to sell many of her pieces and was always sure to adorn her family with the beautiful art work.
One of her newest and greatest joys was raising registered afghan hounds. She was drawn to the breed’s beauty, intelligence, and spirit. She was able to enrich the lives of many new dog owners with puppies who spent their first weeks of life in her home and then were distributed across the nation.
Paula is survived by her husband Terry McDonald; daughter and son-in-law Carma and Tony Bushnell, and daughter Angela McDonald; her grandchildren Jaden, Sam, and Sophie; her siblings Charles Camel (Ronan), Tom Camel (Ronan), Helen Camel (Ronan), Patricia Kelly and Issac (Ronan), Marvin Camel and Norma (Florida), Ken Camel (Polson), Terry Jo Camel and David (Pablo), Florine Camel and Todd (California), Renee Camel (Ronan), and Robert Camel and Janet (St. Ignatius). She is also survived by siblings Zachary Conko Camel and Elizabeth (Polson), William Conko Camel (Ronan), Henrietta Conko Camel (Ronan), and J.R. Conko Camel (Ronan).
She is preceded in death by her father Henry William Camel (Millie Conko), mother Alice Nenemay Camel, and siblings Henry William Camel (Jr.), Kathryn Stasso Fairbanks, and Frank Camel.
A Funeral Liturgy Outside of Mass will be held for Paula Camel McDonald on May 12, 2017, at 11 a.m., at the Sacred Heart Church in Ronan. Burial Services will follow at the Ronan Cemetery, with a luncheon afterwards at the Ronan Parish Hall.