Donna M. Hansen McGill

Donna M. Hansen McGill, 91, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024. She was born in Ogden, Utah, on October 26, 1932, the daughter of Jesse N. and Dorothy Blackman Hansen. She grew up in Ogden and graduated from Ogden High School and Weber College. She then attended the University of Utah and graduated with highest honors and a degree in Elementary Education. Donna taught second grade in the Ogden City Schools for several years.

She married Grant J. McGill on June 25, 1956, in Ogden, Utah.

Donna was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and was an ordained elder and ordained deacon. She was very active in the Women’s Association (PW) and served as moderator of that organization many times. For five years she was a commissioned lay preacher in the Presbytery of Utah. Some of her choicest years were those when she was on the staff of the church, serving as a parish visitor and then a pastoral assistant. After retiring from the staff, she spent many hours as an office volunteer and liturgist in worship.

Donna loved the outdoors and was out walking every day, come rain or shine, usually with her dog. She enjoyed spring wildflowers, and she and Grant spent a lot of time each spring finding and identifying them. They also loved Yellowstone and visited there three or more times each year. They knew a great deal about the thermal features, and many happy hours were spent waiting for special geysers (especially Grand) to erupt.

She also loved the family cabin in Sunridge (the Jesse N. Hansen memorial cabin) and was so proud of Grant’s work on it.

Donna is survived by her three children, Judy (Paul) Geiger of Seaside, OR, Jeffrey J. McGill of West Haven, and Debbie (Bryan) McGill of Lima, MT; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Grant; son, Timothy Todd McGill; her parents; and sister, Iola Wagner.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 880 28th Street. Interment, Aultorest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, Donna humbly requested donations be made in her honor to Primary Children’s Medical Center or Best Friends Animal Rescue.

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