Blanche Jean Trounday Macdonald, 88, passed away peacefully at home in Winnemucca on Saturday, August 21, 2021.
She was born at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Reno, Nevada on October 20, 1932, to Jean Trounday and Gracieuse Anchachahar Trounday from the area of Osses and Saint Martin d’Arrossa, France.
Her folks were in the sheep business in Smith Valley, Nevada, before moving to Reno.
Blanche started school in Smith Valley and completed her education in Reno, graduating from Reno High in 1950.
She was a proud member of the snappy girls drill team, the Huskiettes. She graduated from the Reno Business College and worked for 1st National Bank.
She later worked for several years with the Bureau of Land Management in Reno as a Land Law Examiner.
On September 14, 1963, Blanche married the love of her life, Bill Macdonald, and moved to Winnemucca.
After moving to Winnemucca, she went to work for the BLM again for many more years, until she began raising children.
For more than 30 years, Blanche managed Bill’s law office and tried to keep everyone organized.
Blanche was very active with the Saint Paul’s Catholic Church and its Altar Society. For several years, she was also a co-director of the altar boys.
Later she co-chaired Saint Paul’s funeral luncheon program. She was a proud member and officer of Euskaldunak Danak Bat (Winnemucca Basque Club) and was one of the instructors of the Irrintzi Dancers. Blanche taught foods and cooking in the Humboldt County 4-H program for many years.
She was a charter member of the Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary, and served on several committees of the Humboldt County School District. Blanche enjoyed watching sports and attending the Nevada Wolf Pack football and basketball games with Bill.
Blanche was preceded in death by her parents, Jean and Grace Trounday, and infant daughter, Marianne Macdonald.
She is survived by her husband of almost 58 years, Bill Macdonald of Winnemucca; children, Mike Macdonald (Liz, Heston and Taylor) and Maureen Macdonald, of Winnemucca; brother, Roger Trounday (Gail) of Reno; nephew, Steve Trounday of Reno; niece, Susan Banks of Reno; niece, Cathy Schwartz (Rolfe) of Paradise Valley; and many other family members in the United States and France.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 am on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Winnemucca. Masks are required to enter the church. A luncheon will follow at the Winnemucca Convention Center.
Donations may be sent to Saint Paul’s Altar Society, 1361 Harmony Road, Winnemucca, Nevada 89445.
