Dona Faith Macdonald Gudgell, passed away peacefully in the company of her husband Donald Gudgell and her son John Dallas Gudgell on April 16th in Boise Idaho. The end of July 2020 Dona was flown to Boise for possible cancer treatment for active multiple myeloma. Near her 90th birthday on September 10th Dona entered in-home hospice care in the Boise home of John Dallas Gudgell. Donald and John Dallas along with the hospice care team cared for Dona for the next 7.5 months. In life, Dona was often characterized as bigger than life. While in hospice her strong spirit beat the odds of a 3-month prognosis by sheer will to add an extra 4.5 months with stead-fast presence.
Dona grew up on Poplar “Creek” 20 miles north of Poplar on the east side of the creek across from the Macdonald breaks with her parents James and Nellie Macdonald and sister Dorothy. It was here, Dona learned the ranch life of horses and cattle. She and her sister Dorothy were also gopher hunters for “Daddy” (Jim). Later the family moved to Poplar and Dona attended Poplar High School where she was active and became a majorette. Dona was a progressive, feminist career woman and single parent for 10 years in the 1960’s – no small feat! Dona met husband Donald at Glasgow Air Force Base. They were later married at the Presbyterian church in Alameda California, August 23rd 1969. Dona and Don celebrated 51 years together in August 2020.
Dona was an achiever. Her government service career spanned decades in the Air Force (civilian capacity), the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service. Her many advancements took her from Poplar, to Glasgow Montana, to Bethesda Maryland, to Alameda California and finally Billings Montana where she later retired from the Indian Health Service as a respected Equal Employment Opportunity Officer. Her dream was to return “home” to Poplar to finish out her years which she did for the last 12 years of her life. Dona was a community leader for the Poplar Presbyterian Church and the Fort Peck Buffalo program.
Dona is survived by her husband Donald, her son John Dallas, six grandchildren, Toni Smith, Jody Shafer, Melissa Berger, Lindsay Leno, Garen Gudgell, and Andrea Faith Gudgell, nephew Eddie Crowley and family, Darryl Crowley and family, niece Connie Iverson and family, and great-niece Tara Mastel and family.
Funeral will be held May 16th 2021 in Poplar at the Presbyterian Church. A small family only service.
Dona is resting at Clayton Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point.
Mary Nesbit says
John Dallas , Don and Family,
Our condolences to you and the family. Dona was a very special lady. She will be missed.
Jim and Mary Nesbit
Peg norgaard says
Don and family,
No matter how prepared you might be, the sting of saying good-bye to your soul mate is never easy. But what an amazing and full life Dona lived and she is now with her Lord and Savior whom she loved so much! I’m sure when she sees you again, the stories of God’s grace will be nothing short than a celebration of everything she knew to be true. I’m sure she has told Christ all about you! I loved Dona and being being in her presence made you feel sooo good..Dona was good for everyone’s soul. May God hold you all in the palm if his hand.
Pauline Azure-Feuvray says
May she rest in peace.
Alda Bighorn says
Dona was a very dear friend of mine for many years. She was always very special to me. We had many many good crazy visits. Truly a lady of grace and beauty. May the Good Lord be with the family today and days to come. Peace and prayers to you all..
Pr. Christine and Greg Holler-Dinsmore says
Deepest Sympathy. Dona was a beautiful warm woman. She lived out her faith. May the love and care of friends family help during your time of grief. May your faith in the resurrection and the love of the Creator give you strength, hope and healing.Lifting you up in prayer Pr.s Greg and Chris
Anita Scheetz says
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. We at the Library enjoyed her visits.
Wanda Kirn says
One of Dona’s favorite hymns was “I’ll Fly Away”.
Some glad morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away.
She would sing and dance this song. And now she used her wings and flew to her final home. I’m sure she’s dancing.
Wanda and Rick Kirn
Rich Peterson says
Gonna miss you Dona and out visits about Poplar and Fort Peck history. Rest easy.
Sandy says
Sorry to hear of Dona passing it is hard to lose a cousin with all her knowledge of our clan I will miss her
Jim MacDonald says
Don and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the good lord hold and guide you. God Bless you all. The MacDonald’s, Grace, Ruby, Jim, Alan, and Kay.
Jonny BearCub Stiffarm says
To Dona’s family – know she was loved by many and many will miss her. I enjoyed being on committees with her for she always had interesting perspectives, words of humor and wisdom, and she always was kind and fun. May her journey home across that road of stars be one of pure joy. Thoughts of comfort and prayers to the family as you remember the memories this amazing woman has left.
Jackie Hippe says
What a wonderful lady, just loved to visit with her. So sorry for your loss and may GOD hold you up in prayer during this difficult time.
Robert/Terry McAnally says
Sincere condolences for all of Dona’s family and friends. Such a gracious, beautiful lady with a caring husband at her side. Thank you both for coming back to Poplar and adding your positive energy. Dona will be missed.
Michelle Trottier says
Sorry to hear of Dona’s passing. Always enjoyed her visits. She came back and made herself at home again. May she rest eternal peace. Prayers of comfort for her husband.
Linda Melbourne says
She was a very special person who touched my heart. We had many talks together an laughed about the fun things. Condolences to the family
Susie says
Dona may you Rest in Peace. Thanks for being a great example of a strong woman who got things done! My condolences to Don.
Debbie Pipe says
Sorry to hear of my cousins passing. She was such a beautiful lady with a sweet spirit. My condolences to her family. Praying for peace and comfort for you all.
Kris Treasure says
So sorry to hear of Dona’s passing. We are going to miss this sweet lady! Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Debra Loendorf says
I’m so sorry to see that Donna passed. I enjoyed visiting with her, as well as Don, over the years.
Chuck Trinder says
Don and John Dallas, Cousin Donna was always such a cheerful delight. She was only 10 years older than me but she treated me like a Son and scolded me like a Mother when I needed it. We worked together in the same office at Glasgow Air Force Base for nearly two years. When I left for the Philippines she baked me a red, white and blue going away cake. Some day I will tell you the rest of the story if you don’t already know it. She is greatly missed and I am sad that I will not get to see her and Don when we come home. They were two peas in a pod. Where Donna was, there was Don. God bless you Don and John Dallas. Thank you all for all the wonderful memories. Much love.
Pearl MacDonald-Stump says
Lindsay and family, I’m sorry to hear about you and your family’s loss. All I can offer is my prayers and condolences to you and your family. I know what its like to lose a close relative as I just lost my dad. I hope you and your family make it through this tough time with no other hardships. Prayers my old classmate and cousin
Gayle Johnson says
I only knew Dona for a short time, having coffee with her and Don at the W Pt. McDonalds many times. She
was a delightful lady and enjoyed them a lot. We will miss her and we share our sympathy to her son and Don. May she rest in peace!
Barbara Hansen says
My condolences go to the family and loved ones of Dona. She was a classmate of my husband, Kenny. I knew her to be a kind, friendly person and wish I had been better acquainted with her. Losing a spouse, parent or one who is dear to you is always difficult and my sincere wish for all of you is to cherish the memory of the good, loving times with Dona.