Beverly E. MacDonell

Beverly Elaine MacDonell (née Ebel) passed away peacefully on the morning of April 22, 2024, after a decade-long journey through Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, on May 5, 1945, to Adolf Ebel and Geneva (Bilyew) Ebel. A 1963 graduate of Detroit’s Southeastern High School, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and later a master’s degree in secondary reading from Hofstra University. A lifelong educator, Bev taught elementary school, middle and high school English, and reading. She spent the last 28 years of her career, until her 2001 retirement, in the Sachem school district. It was while serving as faculty advisor to the Class of 1981 that she met Bruce MacDonell, who became her loving husband of 44 years.

Bev is survived by Bruce of Bayport, New York; their daughter Rebecca MacDonell-Yilmaz, son-in-law Taygan Yilmaz, and grandchildren Zachary, Luke, and Juliette Yilmaz, of Cranston, Rhode Island; her sister Marilyn Swider; niece Natalie Swider (Randy Moore) and children Makayla and Mackenzie of Columbus, Ohio, and nephew Bart Swider (Kim) of San Antonio, Texas, and children Sydney and Adam.

Bev was known for her warmth, elegant style, fun-loving sense of humor, and infectious laugh. Early in their relationship, she taught Bruce to ski, and this became a favorite winter pastime, especially with trips to Sugarbush, Vermont, where they had honeymooned. She was a skilled artist, designing and crafting intricate pieces of stained glass, sewing costumes and clothing throughout Becky’s childhood, and later sewing doll clothes and blankets for The NY Giving Doll. She enjoyed travel, musical theater, reading, and shopping. She was especially famous for her chocolate chip cookies, which many enjoyed but none could replicate.

Bev will be remembered most for her incredibly loving and maternal nature. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be offered to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a cause to which Bev was dedicated as a breast cancer survivor, and Good Shepherd Hospice, with gratitude for their compassionate and loving care.

Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, April 27th 12 – 2 & 5 – 7 p.m. at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home 245 Montauk Hwy. West Sayville. Words of Remembrance will be read at 1:30 p.m.