Geraldine Lee McDonald
October 6, 1946 - August 31, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our joyful warrior, Geraldine “Gerri” McDonald, who died peacefully on August 31, 2025, in the company of her loving family.
Born October 6, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, to Doris and Ray Ballmer. Gerri grew up in Ray, Arizona, a small mining town where she spent much of her time outdoors with family and cousins—building forts, swimming at the lake, and making up games. Gerri loved her years in Ray and often shared stories of her childhood with her children. Her family moved to Salt Lake City during her senior year of high school, and following high school, Gerri attended the University of Utah, where she studied Journalism and Philosophy.
It was at the U of U union where Gerri’s trademark room-filling laughter attracted the love of her life, Michael McDonald. They married in 1971 and shared 53 years of unwavering love and companionship, raising three children together. Gerri was the best mom in the world, endlessly supportive, loving, and patient. In later years, she became an adoring grandmother to her two grandsons, showering them with deep, unconditional love.
Gerri built a career spanning over 30 years in the airline industry, with both Western and Delta Airlines. Her intelligence, warmth, and disarming charm earned her the admiration of colleagues and ensured her success in a variety of roles. She was a skilled traveler and a wonderfully fun companion on many memorable trips with family and friends.
Gerri possessed an extraordinary resilience that came to the forefront as she faced six cancers over two decades. Despite such difficulty, cancer did not define Gerri, and she remained upbeat, funny, and courageous. Her fortitude and grace were an inspiration to all who knew her. She worked hard to stay with us as long as she could, and her family fought alongside her day after day.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the dedicated providers at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital, who provide respect, dignity, compassion, and kindness to patients and families who are living through some of the hardest days of their lives.
Gerri is survived by her devoted husband of 53 years, Michael; their children, Rebecca, George, and Brooke (Jared); her beloved grandsons Wylie and Jameson; her younger brother Jim, many dear supportive friends, and her sweet dog Millie. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Ray and Doris Ballmer.
A celebration of Gerri’s life will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a cause close to your heart, honoring Gerri’s generous spirit.
In Loving Memory
Michael, Becky, Brooke, & George, Geri was incredible, kind, loving, & witty. She was a calming force in a tumultuous place like Huntsman. My love to all of you.
I always loved Gerri snd will miss her presence in this world. I know how much she meant to my kids, her nieces. All my loving support to Mike, Becky, George and Brooke. I’ll keep praying for you❤️
Heart felt condolences for the loss of such a wonderful woman, full of grace and love for others. She exuded peacefulness from her beautiful soul; may you find peace in the love you share. Ramona Sierra
My condolences to those who loved my mom as I loved her, who miss her as I miss her. She was a great mother and friend to me. I am so lucky and blessed to have had her. She was quick with a hug and loud with a laugh. She gave so much to others and to the world. She was so much, so many things. We had so many memories in so many places. She was just the best mom ever, and I love and miss her every day.
Gerri was my star. I was a stay at home Mom for 14yrs and was trying to go back to working again. It was 1998 and I had never turned on a computer much less took a typing test. She was my coach/mentor. I am ever so grateful to her for taking the time a patience to work with me. That landed me my dream job that I loved so much. Thank you Gerri. RIP. Claire *o*
Dear Mike, I’m so sorry I can’t attend Gerri’s ceremony of life, but I cannot. I will certainly be there in spirit and her wonderful laugh has been in my thoughts often these past weeks. I’ve known her since childhood and she was one of my best friends in elementary and high school, and when her family moved – twice – I was bereft and so grateful when she returned to graduate with us. My favorite memories include gathering soda bottles under the bleachers at the baseball stadium, feeling full of glee at our cache where we hid them which would surely make us rich, gathering more, returning one last time to discover someone had found our lair and taken them all. She was incensed. We both crushed George Simpson in sixth grade, which became public when we had a note-passing argument in class, mine scrawled on the back of paper I handed in without signing my name. When the teacher read “George is mine!” on the back of mine, we were outed. She loved horses and dreamed of a wardrobe in white. Horses scared me to death and my wardrobe dream was bright colors and eclectic. I spent a week with her in Utah our senior year (she kept moving!) and we went skiing. It was my first time and she and her family were gracious enough to take me and teach me, but I was tired on my last run, so when I was going too fast, instead of snowplowing, I headed for a snowbank. Boom! My glasses looked like they were broken, but it was just the impact. My knee however was not so good, so I was tobogganed down the mountain. Gerri was envious. “Oooh, were they good looking?” She asked. “Did you tell them you were 18?” Of course not. I was 17, but yes, they were quite good looking. On that same trip, we saw the Beach Boys playing at the mall and I embarrassed her mother by going outside and marveling at the snow falling. Gerri was graceful and calm, and I was anything but. We were good friends. I wish I could be there to hug you and your children and meet your grandchildren and meet her other friends. She was one in a million. Keep her laughter in your heart and not the fact that she keeps moving away. Love, Andi
I’m so sorry I never got to meet you but I know that you were truly loved by an amazing husband and family and I was blessed to here about what a beautiful person you were
To Mike, family, and friends I send my sincere condolences in the passing of their beloved Gerri Mcdonald. About two years ago I met Gerri and Mike in Tucson, AZ through Gerri's cousin, and my dear friend, Ms Patty Sirls. I am a firm believer in first impressions, and the very first time Patty introduced me to Gerri and Mike I knew right away that they were two people who I knew I wanted to get to know. And that opinion was confirmed each subsequent time that the four of us had the opportunity to get together in Tucson. Gerri and I shared the exact same birthdate: 6 October 1946! That was a meaningful fact that Gerri and I playfully shared. It wasn't long after we found out about our identical birthdays that Gerri named us "birthmates", and we would often remind each other that we were exactly that. Through Patty I followed Gerri's journey as she navigated her way through the serious health issues that befell her. There were victories and setbacks along the way. And after each setback Gerri would come back stronger than before. She was definitely a fighter who fought the good fight. Although I did not know Gerri for very long, we forged a good friendship nonetheless. I miss her and lament the fact that we did not have more time together. Rest in peace, my new friend and "birthmate". You fought hard, and now deserve your eternal rest. Lewis S. Jones Tucson, AZ
In Loving Memory
