Naina Mae McDonnough

Obituary For Naina Mae McDonnough

Naina Mae McDonnough, of Richmond, died October 1, 2020. She lived a charmed life. She was a loved daughter and wife, mother and successful immigrant. Born in Kingston Jamaica to James and Claribel Lewis, she embodied the dutiful daughter. Committing to the Lord at the tender age of 12, she brought her family into the Seventh Day Adventist Church. An admitted tomboy, Naina loved interacting with her many siblings, cousins and other relatives who came to Kingston from the country to seek their fortunes in Kingston. Naina was one of those blessed few who met her lifelong love in elementary school. She and “Billy” McDonnough started walking to school together during those heady days and they walked through life for 60 years. Naina turned her love for mathematics into a career as a certified bookkeeper. I can still hear her say, “I was always good with the figures.” She worked with the Jamaican government in various departments until 1967. Like many Caribbean people in the late 60’s, she decided to seek a better life for her family in the United States. Her route to residency was circuitous but successful. She worked as a domestic in Chicago which earned her a green card a ticket to the American dream. In March 1968 after receiving her papers, she and 2 friends emigrated to New York City. They shared an apartment with a friend who was already there and provided each other much needed support in their first year. Naina was able to find employment with Baumwritter Corporation as a bookkeeper. A short 16 months later, the other women moved out. She was able to keep the apartment and bring up her husband and 4 children to join her to start their new life in the Bronx. Naina’s greatest accomplishments centered around her marriage to Lauriston “Billy” McDonnough on February 15th, 1956. That union produced four children that any parent would be proud of but none more than their mother Naina. Her eldest, Kaestner inherited his mom’s love of plants and deep interest in health and wellness. Her go to text was Back to Eden. She was a woman ahead of her time with her attention to herbs and supplements to ensure good health. Naina placed a high value on education. She supported her daughters Althea and Arlene to obtain their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Daughter Lalise followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a bookkeeper and went on to become a senior accountant with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Naina and Billy moved to Henrico, Virginia after Billy’s retirement in 1994. At their Seminary Avenue home Naina was able to plant her traffic stopping garden. For many years she supplied her family and neighbors with delicious fresh produce. Her neighbors enjoyed her hundreds of spring tulips and showy peonies. If Naina was not outside in her garden she was in the kitchen whipping up a traditional Jamaican dish. Her grandsons share fond memories of Grandma’s delicious cornmeal porridge. Serving the Lord was one of Naina’s pleasures. As a dedicated member of Meadowbridge Seventh-Day Adventist Church she served in various ministries including 50+ Club, Community Service, Senior Choir, Sabbath School, Prison Ministry and the Nursing Home Ministry. For several years she and Billy took on the task of delivering bread weekly to needy folks in the community. She was profoundly loved and cherished by her Meadowbridge family. Naina was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Danae Fleming, sister Myrtle Lewis and brothers Ivor and Lester Lewis. Naina leaves her children, Kaestner McDonnough (Jackie), Althea Fleming, Lalise Vaughan (John) and Arlene McLean (Michael; grandchildren, Shonna Fleming, Michael McLean, Jr. (Yonette), Steven McDonnough, Dr. Kristen McLean Gonzales (Jovany), Gabriel McDonnough (Amanda), John Vaughan IV and Kayla McLean; great-grandsons, Shawn Oddo, Quinton Bodrick, Zachary and Cole McLean, Gionni, Kaleb, and Judah Gonzales and Theodore and Leopold McDonnough; brothers, Keith Lewis, Selvin Lewis (Icyline), Woodville, Joshua and Bibsy; sister, Paulette; countless nieces, nephews and cousins; brother-in-law, Graham McDonnough (Gertrude) and many friends. Remains rest at Scott's Funeral Home, 115 E. Brookland Park Blvd. where viewing will be held Thursday, October 8 from 12 noon until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, October 9 at Scott's Chapel, 116 E. Brookland Park Blvd. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery. Live streaming at scottsfuneralhome.com