Lucille 'Lucy' McDonald

Lucille Aldaige McDonald, a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026, in her home in Dublin, NH surrounded by her family, after a long period of declining health.

'Lucy' was born on November 28, 1941, daughter of the late Alfred and Cecile (Metivier) Pellerin. She lived a meaningful life, marked by her unwavering love and dedication to her family and her Catholic faith. She was raised on a farm in Dublin and graduated from Peterborough High School in Peterborough, NH. She married Brian McDonald on May 21, 1960, and had two children, Penelope and Christopher.

During her life Lucy worked numerous jobs. She is often remembered for the former Dublin Oil Company. Originally owned and operated by Alfred and Cecile Pellerin, the Dublin Oil Company started around 1946, and after the Pellerin's retired, around 1976, Brian and Lucy took over the business and operated it until it was sold in 1988.

After the sale of the business, Lucy began working at the First National Bank of Peterborough, first as a teller, and later moving up the ranks to become a customer service representative where she became known for her warmth, dedication, and exceptional customer service. She remained there through many of the bank's transitions until her retirement. She is remembered as being the first woman selectman in Dublin of which she often recounted greeting President Ford. She was an active member of the Dublin Women's Club and the Red Hats Ladies Club.

Lucy loved spending time with her family and her companion, Roger Henry. She liked to cook, read, knit, and sew. While her husband Brian was alive, she enjoyed camping and spending time in their homes in Maine and Florida. In the past ten years she enjoyed watching the manatees and going for boat rides in Florida with her companion. She was fond of watching the deer and cardinals at her companions' home in Ohio. She loved Christmas and was enthusiastic about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, creating special memories with her family since the first time the tv special aired.

She will be remembered for carrying on a family tradition that her parents began in 1962 when they started displaying the outdoor crèche on Main Street in Dublin. This tradition was a dream of her father's that continues to this day.

She was a nurturing and devoted mother to her children. She is survived by her children Penelope Briggs and husband Mark Briggs, and Christopher McDonald and his fiancé Erika Anderson and by her brother-in-law Jim McDonald and his wife Kris. She is also survived (and known as "Bambi") by her grandchildren Jennifer Evers and her husband Justin Evers, Eric Briggs, Megan Briggs, Andrew Briggs, Lucille Briard and her spouse Emma Briard, Henry McDonald, and Josephine McDonald, and great-granddaughters, Cecilia Evers and Catherine Evers. Lucy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Brian McDonald, brother William Pellerin, sister Elaine Durkee, grandson Alfred Briggs, and her parents Alfred and Cecile Pellerin.

The family wishes to thank Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services, particularly Nancy, Amy, and VJ, and JJ Bernier of Oak Ridge Excavation for his continued assistance with the crèche throughout the years. They also want to thank Fr. Arokia and the entire Divine Mercy family for all of the prayers and visits, and for the outpouring of love and support during this time of loss. Lucy's legacy of kindness and her unwavering commitment to her family will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved her.

Friends and family are warmly invited to calling hours on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 33 River Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in honor of Lucille's life on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM in the Divine Mercy Church, 12 Church Street, Peterborough, NH 03458. Lucille will be laid to rest beside her husband at the Dublin Cemetery later in the spring. 

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations are requested to be made to the Milford Ambulance Service, 66 Elm Street, Milford, NH or to Divine Mercy Catholic Church.