Jan passed away unexpectedly on August 18, 2025, at her home in Santa Fe, a few months before her 60th birthday.

The news came as a shock to everyone who loved her deep-heartedness, sense of humor, and dedication to being of service, and who expected to enjoy her presence for many years to come.

Jan had many passions and talents. She was deeply artistic and, throughout her life, expressed her creativity in many different ways, most recently through sanding, repainting and redesigning old bird houses, giving her garden a magical, colorful feel.  There seemed to be no limits to what she would confidently attempt and often succeed to repair on her own.  Her greatest gift, however, lay in cultivating meaningful connections and conversations, sometimes sustained over decades. She was warm and generous in the ways she showed up for people (and pets), and passionate in the causes she championed throughout her life, including the compassionate treatment of animals and the abolition of the death penalty.  On any given day, Jan delighted in a good laugh, or an inspiring quote!

Shortly after she moved to Santa Fe, Jan adopted two cats from Felines and Friends of New Mexico: twin sisters, Mali and Marni.  Bobbi Heller, the executive director of the organization was the person who rescued the twins in 2005 and entrusted them to Jan, who cared for them with great love for nearly 20 years.   Marni passed away two years ago and Mali died this last February.  They lived their entire lives with her.

Jan will be dearly missed by her siblings Linda and Clive Macdonald, her sister-in-law Mo, her nieces and nephews Jade, Josh, Holly, Sequoia, and Mac, as well as by countless friends around the world: Keith and Jacqui in England, Lee and Leslie in Los Angeles, Verinda in New Orleans, Rejoice in Vancouver and many others whose lives she touched. She will also be greatly missed by her neighbors, colleagues, clients, and friends in her local community where she was beloved by all.

Jan's family in England would like to express their deepest gratitude to Paula and Angel for lovingly showing up for Jan when she was physically unwell in the last week of her life, and for supporting her during and after the brief hospital stay that preceded her passing.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 28 in Santa Fe, near Eldorado.  Details on the Events page: https://everloved.com/memorial/jan-macdonald/events/

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Jan's favorite local organizations:

Felines and Friends of New Mexico

The Salvation Army of New Mexico

The Bienvenidos Food Pantry

Or you could simply write a note of appreciation or encouragement to someone you know, to brighten their day 🤗. Jan was known for writing such heartwarming cards on a regular basis. 

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