LifeStory
Claire Kay MacDonald (Kay)
Claire Kay MacDonald (Kay), born October 14,
1938 to Devine and Ione Bush in Lansing,
died Friday, August 12, 2016 at the age of 78.
The youngest of 4, her love of horses, dogs and
books began early. She studied literature at
MSU and in 1961 she married Kaye MacDonald.
They had 2 daughters, Leslee and Leanne,
moved to Dansville where she had dog kennels
and horses, traveled the country and when
her kids were grown she and Kaye moved to
Irons, Mi where they lived in the woods by the river
for 25 yrs. She groomed and trained dogs, created unique
pieces of art (always),read voraciously and she
wrote. Very much of what she wrote was about her love of the
Irons area. She published many stories in the TraverseCity Eagle, winning some awards and eventually had a
collection of stories made into a book called
The Art of Peeing in the River. (She was well
known for her sense of humor. ) Preceded in death by her
parents, sister Diane Schafer, daughter Leslee Heath
and several beloved dogs, she leaves behind her
husband of 55 yrs, her daughter Leanne Zapala
(and Richard) from Haslett, brothers Gale and Pete Bush,
several nieces and nephews, 3 grandchildren, 1
great-granddaughter and many great friends.
Her opinions and laugh and so much more will be missed by many!