Cynthia "Cindee" McDonald, 67, of Manchester, NH, passed away peacefully at her mother's home on October 15th, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. A dedicated and highly respected nurse for a total of 46 years, Cindee leaves behind a profound legacy of compassion, education, and service. Her life was beautifully defined by her roles as a lifelong learner, a devoted teacher, and a gifted healer.

A 1977 graduate of Manchester Memorial High School, Cindee's remarkable journey in nursing began with her graduation from the Concord Hospital School of Nursing in 1980. Driven by a passion for excellence, she continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of New Hampshire in 1987, followed by a Master of Science in Acute Adult Health from Boston College in 1990. She brought her considerable expertise to Elliot Hospital, dedicating 38 years of service there. As one of two Clinical Nurse Specialists, she played a pivotal role in educating staff on Information Technology across the clinical offices of the Elliot Health System.

Her commitment to healing extended far beyond her local community. She generously volunteered her skills on medical mission teams in Romania in 1977 and again in 1999. Throughout her career, Cindee was widely recognized for her extraordinary contributions. In 2008, she was honored as MVP, Educator of the Year at Elliot Hospital. Her standard of excellence continued during her 3 years at Southern NH Medical Center, where she was especially instrumental in their EMS program, culminating in her receipt of a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025.

Beyond her professional achievements, Cindee found immense joy in the simple beauties of life. She cherished her gardens and her home, and possessed a deep love for animals, surrounding herself over the years with dogs, cats, rabbits, parrots, guinea pigs, and, most recently, her beloved final dog, Reese. She also treasured frequent trips to her favorite place Ogunquit, Maine where she delighted in fluffy chowder and lobster rolls.

Fiercely proud of her Scottish heritage, Cindee's life was deeply enriched by her faith and the love of her family. She is survived by her devoted mother, Marilyn W. McDonald; her brothers and their wives, Jeffrey and Annette McDonald, and James and Tami McDonald Jr.; her nieces, Brianna and Alexis; her nephews, Tyler, Joshua, Sean, Marcus, her best friend Karen, and many extended family members. She was predeceased by her beloved father, J. Samuel McDonald Sr., in 2022.

Following her diagnosis of glioblastoma, Cindee wished to express her deepest gratitude to her neighbors, friends, and coworkers. Every day, she felt enveloped in a circle of love, support, and help, for which she was eternally grateful.

In lieu of flowers, Cindee requested that donations be made to Elliot Hospital VNA - Hospice whose staff treated her with immense love and care throughout her final days. https://www.elliotvna.org/ 

There are no calling hours. A Celebration of Life will be held in spring of 2027.

Assisting with arrangements is Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Manchester. To view Cindee’s online tribute, send condolences to her family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net