Vera V. Macdonald

Vera Veronica MacDonald was born on July 13, 1940 to parents Maradai and Manoel Sammy in Georgetown, Guyana. She was one of seven (7) siblings and the only one to migrate to the United States of America.

Vera’s early adult years were spent in Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, working at her father’s convenience store. During that time, she met and fell in love with Atmaram Samuel Ramdass (Sammy). They moved to a more rural region of the country called Berbice and started a family. Coming from modest upbringings and seeking ways to support the family, Vera and Sammy set-up a small business selling salted peanuts and plantain chips to stores in town. It was hard work that required participation from everyone in the household, much to the chagrin of her children whose playtimes were cut short. Vera’s work ethic and determination were firmly imparted to her children during these growing years, and the effect is evident in the many achievements of her children and their families.

Later, after living in various regions of Guyana due to Sammy’s work as a nurse, Vera, Sammy and the children migrated to the USA in October 1973 and lived in Brooklyn, NY and Greenpoint, NY. Her first job in America was working in a cosmetics factory and she was quickly promoted to an office position in recognition of her smarts and business acumen. The family eventually moved to Jackson Heights, Queens, NY in 1978. Vera worked in bookkeeping at the McKesson Pharmaceutical Company until 1990. In 1992, Vera re-married Kenneth MacDonald and moved to Maryland to be closer to several of her kids and grandchildren. In Maryland, Vera worked part-time at her son’s Pharmacy.

In retirement, Vera remained active as a member of St. Mary of the Mills Catholic Church in Laurel, MD. She worked as a receptionist in the church’s front office. She also served the disadvantaged and the sick through various activities in the church’s Ladies of Charity organization. She enjoyed socializing with dear friends as a member of the Red Hat Society, Inc.

Vera’s generosity had no bounds. She continued to support her family in Guyana by providing financial assistance and sending barrels of food, clothing, and other necessities to those in need “back home.” Vera opened up her home to many of her relatives to stay until they were independent and able to thrive on their own.

Our Mom was a loving mother. To know her was to love her. She relished time doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She felt blessed and fortunate to see her own children grow into adulthood and establish families of their own. She will be missed!

She was preceded in death by her husbands Kenny MacDonald and Sammy Ramdass. Mom leaves behind her children: Patricia, Anthony, Paul, Rosannah, Andrea and her adopted daughter Rosamund; grandchildren: Alana (Nikki), Shawn, Richard, Leah, Matthew, Sarah, Ian, Andrew, Shekira, Alexis and Sachin, five (5) great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her passing and treasure her memory.

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I Just Had To Leave

I just had to leave,

Hoping that you would not grieve.

I was tired of suffering with pain,

Knowing when I left,

Eternal life I'd gain.

It wasn't always easy for me.

I was the best I could ever be.

There were good days and bad.

Somehow they all turned out to be glad.

Even though you may shed tears,

God will be there to calm your fears.

When God called for me on

February 4, 2022,

That's when I discovered,

I just had to leave.

Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association or the American Lung Association

Friends may call at the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, MD 20707 on Friday, February 11 from 4 to 7 PM with a Prayer Service at 5 PM with Rev. Larry Young officiating. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Mills Church on Saturday, February 12 at 12 PM. Interment St. Mary of the Mills Cemetery.

The visitation will be Live Streamed, to access click HERE