SCARBOROUGH – Ida Mae (Hackett) MacDonald, 91, passed away March 18, 2021 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough. She was born April 9, 1929 in Masardis, Maine, a daughter of the late Pearl and Bessie (Giggey) Hackett.

Ida Mae graduated from Ricker Classical Institute, Houlton, in 1946. That same year she started working for the New England Telephone Company in Presque Isle. On August 17, 1950 she married James A. MacDonald. They were happily married for 59 years until his death in August of 2010. In 1962 they moved their family to Scarborough and a few years later she returned to work at New England Telephone.

After her retirement in 1991 Ida Mae and Jim enjoyed trips along the east coast and to the west coast visiting family and friends. For several years they took a break from the Maine winter and spent warmer days in Bonita Springs, Fla. where they made many new friends.

Ida Mae had an outgoing personality coupled with a strong faith. She formed immediate friendships with anyone she met. She was loving, compassionate, generous, with an optimistic outlook. She was a member of the West Scarborough United Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the Tillikum Chapter #99 Order of the Eastern Star, in Ashland.

Besides her beloved husband, she was predeceased by two sisters, Natalie Junkins and Margaret Hunter, a brother, Roger Hackett (his wife Lorene, a very special sister-in-law); her son-in-law, Bruce Simpson; and two great-grandchildren, Lillian and Aiden Simpson.

She is survived by three daughters, Karolyn Simpson of Scarborough, Rachel (Wolfgang) Jansmann of Saco, and Etta (Keith) Jackson of North Yarmouth; a grandson, James (Courtney) Simpson and a great-granddaughter Mena Simpson; many nieces and nephews; her extended family, Christopher (Paula) Jansmann, Andrew (Irene) Jansmann and their son John, Timothy (Roberta) Jansmann; dear lifelong friend, Alice Lyons of Presque Isle.

A service will be held at a later date when family and friends can safely gather to celebrate her life.

The family of Ida Mae wishes to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Gayle Emery.

Arrangements entrusted to Hobbs Funeral Home, Scarborough. Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com

In memory of Ida Mae, contributions

may be made to:

West Scarborough United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 655

Scarborough, ME

04070-0655

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