Dr. Mary MacDonald, M.D. (née Carey), age 67, passed away at her home in Ashland, Ohio, on March 22, 2026.
Mary was born on January 17, 1959, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Herbert and Mary Lou Carey. She was raised in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where she graduated from high school in 1977. She went on to attend Mercy College of Detroit, earning a degree in Medical Technology, where she met the love of her life, Evan MacDonald. The couple married on August 7, 1982, beginning a partnership rooted in love, dedication, and shared purpose.
Driven by an unwavering commitment to helping others, Mary pursued her Medical Doctorate at Georgetown University College of Medicine, graduating in 1986—an accomplishment made even more remarkable as she proudly held her two-week-old daughter, Jessica, at her graduation. She completed her trauma surgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, where she welcomed her second daughter, Christina.
Following her training, Mary and her family moved to rural North Carolina, where she began what would become a lifelong mission: providing essential surgical care to medically underserved communities. During their time there, Mary and Evan welcomed two more children, William and Missy.
In 1999, Mary brought her talents and compassion to Ashland, Ohio, joining Samaritan Regional.
Outside of her professional life, Mary found her greatest joy in her family, especially her beloved grandchildren. Whether building Lego, solving puzzles, reading stories, or spending time together in the Health System, where she faithfully served the community for the remainder of her life. That same year, she and Evan welcomed their youngest child, Matthew. Mary’s dedication to her patients and her calling was evident to all who knew her; she lived a life defined by service, skill, and deep compassion. At the farm, she cherished every moment with them.
Mary will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and unwavering devotion to others. She touched countless lives through her work and her love, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Mary was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Carey and her nephew, Calvin Zimmerman.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Evan MacDonald; her children: Jessica Burgess and her husband Zach of Ashland, Ohio; Christina Gherlein and her husband Matt of Shaker Heights, Ohio; William MacDonald of Columbus, Ohio; Missy MacDonald and her partner, Connie Chen, of Baltimore, Maryland; and Matthew MacDonald and his partner, Katlin Meek, of Indianapolis, Indiana. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Gregory Paul Burgess, Connor Elliot Burgess, Natalie Rose Gherlein, and Elena Daisy Gherlein; her mother, Mary Lou Carey of Royal Oak, Michigan; her siblings: Kathy Zimmerman and her husband Dave of Lake Orion, Michigan; John Carey and his wife Annette of Ripon, California; and Patricia Scarpaci and her partner, Jim Cook, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; along with many nieces and nephews.
Calling Hours will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church with Father Rod Kreidler presiding. Family and friends may visit an hour prior to the mass. A private interment for the family will take place at Ashland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary’s honor to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
For those unable to attend the mass, online condolences may be shared at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com