McDonald, Sandra L. 82, a lifelong Cranston resident, passed away Tuesday April 1, 2025 at Overlook Nursing Home. Sandra had battled dementia for the last several years before succumbing to the illness. She passed peacefully in her sleep.

Born in Providence, she was the wife of the late Darryl D. "Bob" McDonald, whom she was married to for 46 years before his passing.  Sandra was a graduate of Cranston High School East and remained in Cranston to operate her own daycare for over 40 years. Caring for children was her passion and she rarely took vacations, worrying about what would happen to the kids in her absence. She treated every child as if they were her own. After retirement, she enjoyed assisting other elderly individuals in her community. 

She is survived by two sons David W. and Paul T. McDonald and wife Kathie of Warwick, grandchildren Matthew and Meagan McDonald of Cranston, Jessie MacRae and Thomas McDonald of Warwick as well as great granddaughter Lainey Alice MacRae. Sandra was the mother of the late Robert "Bobby" McDonald.

Services and burial will be private. The family asks that in leu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter http://www.alz.org/ri to honor Sandra’s battle with the disease and help support finding a cure.