Frances Macdonald

Frances (Barnett) Macdonald, 95, of New Braunfels, Texas, died Thursday, Aug. 10, 2006, at her home. Born July 25, 1911, in Homer, she was the daughter of Dr. Daniel E. and Cora (McGinnis) Barnett. She married Colin C. Macdonald on Oct. 18, 1941, in East Lansing, Mich., and he preceded her in death on Jan 6, 1946. Survivors include one daughter, Patricia "Trish" (husband, Jerry) Skillman of New Braunfels; two grandchildren, Pamela Bartee of Elgin, Texas, and Jeffrey Skillman (partner, Jay Velgos) of Austin, Texas; great-granddaughter, RaBecca Bartee of Elgin; and several nieces and nephews. She also was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and one brother, Arthur R. Barnett. Mrs. Macdonald was a former Shelbyville resident. She had been employed at the Michigan State University Library from 1937 to 1941 and as a manuscript librarian for the Indiana State Library from 1962 to 1974, and retired as head of their Indiana Division in 1978. Mrs. Macdonald graduated in 1926 from Shelbyville High School, where she was the editor of the yearbook, Squib. She received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Michigan and her bachelor of science degree from Case Western Reserve University. She was a member of First Christian Church of Shelbyville, where she had served as secretary-treasurer and board member; Indiana Historical Society; Indianapolis Museum of Art; the Woodruff chapter of the International Travel Study Club; and Alpha Xi Delta sorority. A memorial celebration will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the East Hill Shrine Mausoleum, 779 E. State Road 44 in Rushville. Freeman Family Funeral Homes, Carmony-Ewing Chapels, 819 S. Harrison St., is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice, 611 N. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels, TX 78130; or East Hill Shrine Mausoleum, 779 E. State Road 44, Rushville, IN 46173.