Obituary of Alice B. MacDonald

In Loving Memory of Alice Beckley MacDonald 

Alice B. MacDonald, of Herndon, VA, passed away Friday evening, August 4, 2023, at the age of 79.  Alice was born in Miami Beach, FL, on June 16, 1944, to the late Sam C. and Elizabeth R. Beckley. She was the beloved spouse of William A. MacDonald and is survived by two children, Lauren M. Wittstadt and Scott A. MacDonald (Melissa), and four grandchildren Beckley Wittstadt, Anna MacDonald, William Wittstadt, and Jack MacDonald. Alice leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories in the hearts of her family and friends. 

Alice grew up in Arlington, VA, where she graduated from Yorktown High School.

She continued her academic pursuits at the University of Delaware, where she graduated as the valedictorian of the class of 1966. This is where she met the love of her life and soulmate, William (“Bill”). They were married in the summer of 1966 and shared 57 years of marriage and a life filled with love and devotion to each other. 

Following college, Alice worked as a home service representative in Indiana until she and Bill moved to Massachusetts in 1967 where she worked in Human Resources for the Raytheon Company doing college recruitment. They later moved to Atlanta where she discovered a passion for watercolor painting. Alice continued her painting after moving to Virginia in 1970, opening an art studio in Occoquan, VA with a dear friend while raising her two children. Once her children were occupied with high school, Alice embarked on a new career as a tax accountant which kept her busy for many years.

Alice loved planning travel and accomplished her goal of visiting all 50 U.S. states, as well as many trips abroad. She especially loved trips to her family home of Kentucky to visit loved ones and share her heritage with children and grandchildren. She planned special trips with each grandchild there, completing the final trip with Jack two weeks before her passing. Over the years Alice would say that another of her great loves was crossing over three bridges to her “happy places”: Cape Cod, Sanibel Island, and the Outer Banks. She loved being at the beach and each trip brightened her life. She and Bill honeymooned on Cape Cod and returned many times over the years to take family and visit with special friends. They spent time each winter for 18 years on Sanibel Island where she loved the cottage on the beach and close friends she met there.  A morning sit on the deck at the Outer Banks looking at the ocean or sunset over the bay were wonderful moments for her. Alice was also an avid reader and enjoyed watching the birds and landscape from her beautiful porch. 

One of Alice's most remarkable achievements was the network of friendships she cultivated. She possessed a unique gift for creating connections, and her warmth and genuine care fostered close friendships that enriched the lives of those around her. She was a cherished member of the PEO sisterhood, her "Fourteen Friends" group, the "Bridge Club", book club, and other organizations where her contributions were felt deeply. She recently celebrated “Golden Girl” status marking 50 years of membership in PEO.  Birthday lunches, heartfelt conversations, and the annual Beach Week with the Fourteen Friends were highlights of her years. 

Alice was a dynamic person, always loving, adorable and positive throughout her life. She will be missed by all.

Friends and family are invited for a visitation on Tuesday, August 15 from 5-8PM at the Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street in Herndon, VA. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at the Fairfax United Methodist Church at 11AM on Wednesday, August 16, with a reception immediately following at Country Club of Fairfax, 5110 Ox Road, Fairfax, VA.