Nanette McDonald

Nanette McDonald, a dedicated wife, mother and friend, passed away peacefully in Salt Lake City, Utah on January 3, 2026 from complications with pneumonia. She had just celebrated her 90th birthday.

Nanette was a blessing to her parents when she was born on December 30, 1935 in Antimony, Utah. In 1939 the family moved to Crescent, Utah where she lived on a small farm near the foothills of the Wasatch mountains. She attended school with a group who would become lifelong friends. In 1952, she left Jordan High School at the end of her junior year when the family moved to Salt Lake City.

The move to Salt Lake City made graduating from East High School and enrolling for classes in performing arts at the University of Utah a natural progression. While at the University she met, and later married, Doug McDonald for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake temple. She transferred to and graduated from Stevens Henager College to become a highly skilled executive secretary and technical writer which allowed her to contribute to the household income.

Together they raised their family of five children, moving from Utah to Wyoming, Washington and Missouri before returning to Utah, the home she loved. They settled into their final home in a neighborhood in Taylorsville where she renewed the “Draper Group” friendships and developed deep friendships with people she loved and was loved in return. Her greatest passion was being a loving wife and mother. She dedicated her life to her family and friends.

In every city, she created a home and actively participated in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many positions and served whenever called. She found her calling to serve as a temple worker challenging and rewarding. She loved attending and serving in the temple.

Working as a successful executive secretary and technical writer for a wide range of companies, such as the well-known cosmetics company, Avon Products, an international engineering and construction company, Burns and McDonnell, and a process engineering company, EIMCO, was not her only accomplishments. She sought a new challenge and earned a degree in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix.

She also loved the arts. She wrote and published short stories, tourist guides and newsletters for the companies where she worked. Her love for performing motivated her to audition for roles in local community theater productions and musical productions. She loved music and was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. She used her talents to teach students to play piano and sing.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her twenty great-grandchildren, twelve grandchildren and eight children and spouses.

Friends may call on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Taylorsville Utah North Stake Center at 1250 Atherton Drive, Taylorsville. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at the same location beginning at 10:00 AM. Viewing will begin at 9:00 AM before the services. Burial will follow immediately after funeral services at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery at 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Utah Food Bank or a charity of your choice.

Please click on the Watch Services button above to view the recorded service.