Dolores (Houghton) McDonald

Rensselaer - Dolores ‘Do’ Houghton McDonald, 93, died Sunday February 12, 2023, after a brief illness.

Born in Watervliet, she was daughter of the late Joseph J. Houghton and Dorothea  Larsen Houghton Liberty and devoted wife for 59 years of the late John J. McDonald until his passing in 2012. She was raised in Watervliet and resided in the Troy area most of her life and was a graduate of Troy High School.

Dolores was employed with the New York Telephone Company as an accounting clerk prior to leaving to raise her family. She returned to the workforce in 1975 and was employed as a senior account clerk for Rensselaer County Department of Health until her retirement in 1991.

She was a longtime communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Troy.    

Dolores’ family was the center of her life. She loved them all dearly and that love was truly reciprocal. She will be missed beyond measure and her legacy of love will live on in her family.

She is survived by her 4 children, Kim (John) Zurlo of Schodack, Kris (Mike) Newman of North Greenbush, Brian (Lisa) McDonald of North Greenbush and Todd (Lisa) McDonald of Brunswick; 10 grandchildren, Kari (James) Lawson, Kristy (Ross) Smith, Jonathan (Jessica) Newman, Jenna (Chris) Caruso, Joshua Newman, Kate (PJ) Ryan, Kara, Kelly, Keegan (fiancé, Taylor Gamache) and Jameson McDonald; great grandmother to, Emma and Matthew Lawson, Ryan and Payton Smith, Charlotte Newman, Jack Newman, Caden and Calleigh Caruso and Macklin and Kellan Ryan; she was the special GG to Todd (Kimberly), Kiya and Cruse Conners; as well as a niece and several nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Shirley H Conners and several stepsisters and stepbrothers and a sister in law.

Relatives and friends may call at Sacred Heart Church, 475 Pawling Avenue Troy on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 10 - 11:30AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:30AM with Rev. John Yanas, Pastor.

Interment will be in Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery Schuylerville.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Dolores V. McDonald to the Sacred Heart Church 310 Spring Avenue Troy, NY 12180 or Epilepsy Foundation Northeastern New York, 3 Washington Square Albany, NY 12205. 

Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at Sacred Heart on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

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