Sylvia Buck McDonald

Sylvia Jean Buck McDonald, 93, a resident of Still Hopes Retirement Community, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 4th. Born on November 18, 1925, in San Diego, California, she was the youngest child and only daughter of James Lloyd Buck and Gertrude Lillian Bowler Buck. She graduated from San Diego High School and attended San Diego State College. Sylvia later received her associate degree from the University of South Carolina in 1977. In 1949, she married Heyward Elliott McDonald from Winnsboro, South Carolina, who was then stationed in San Diego with the US Navy. During his naval career, Sylvia and Heyward lived in San Diego and San Francisco, CA; Glenview, IL; Annapolis, MD; and Norfolk, VA. After Heyward contracted polio in 1953, they moved to Columbia, South Carolina where he practiced law for 40 years. Sylvia was Heyward’s devoted wife for 51 years until his death in 2000. Sylvia was a member of Shandon Presbyterian Church, where she served in many capacities including: Elder, Women of the Church Moderator, Circle Chair, Chair of the Pastoral Nominating Committee, Church community groups organizer and visitor of the sick and homebound. She received an Honorary Life Membership from the Women of the Church of Shandon. She served as moderator of the Women of Congaree Presbytery, from which she also received an Honorary Life Membership. Sylvia was active in Church Women United, an ecumenical group, from which she received the Valiant Woman Award in 2014. Sylvia also served her community. She was one of the first board members of the Guardian ad Litem program in Richland County and served as Guardian ad Litem in many Richland County Family Court cases. She was one of the founders of the Columbia Literacy Council and was an active tutor for the program. In 1985 she was awarded the Volunteer of the Year by the United Way of the Midlands. Sylvia was an excellent and avid bridge player, a great friend to many and a loving mother. For 40 years the McDonald family enjoyed their cottage on Lake Murray, where family and friends gathered for birthdays, holidays, and church outings. After Heyward died, she enjoyed many trips to Waynesville, NC with her family and friends. Survivors include her children, Laurie Fite (Chris) of Taylors, SC, Linda McDonald of Columbia, and Mary Heyward Foreman (Mark) of Matthews, NC; grandchildren, Rebecca Fite, Allison Burton, and Katy Porter; great grandchildren, Christopher Russell, Jacob Russell, Peyton Burton, and Greyson Fox Burton. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who live in California, Arizona, Maryland, Canada, Mississippi, and South Carolina. In addition to her husband, Sylvia is also preceded in death by her brothers, James Lloyd Buck, Jr. and George Kenneth Buck. The family wishes to especially thank all the caregivers, nurses, doctors who ministered to her in her last days. She was truly surrounded by a host of angels. The service for Sylvia will be held at 2 o’clock, Friday, December 7th, at Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street, Columbia. The family will greet friends immediately following the service in Davis Hall. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to Shandon Presbyterian Church or to the charity of one’s choice

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Sylvia Buck McDonald

November 18, 1925 - December 4, 2018