Mrs. Esther Cynthia “Cindy” Hutchins McDonald, 78, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Lincolnton Rehabilitation Center.  She was born July 25, 1946, in Gastonia, the daughter of the late Quentin Grant and Aline Long Hutchins.

Cindy was a telephone operator for Southern Bell and Bellsouth, but with her daughter’s births, she became a stay at home mom and substitute teacher.  She enjoyed traveling to the beach and mountains, sewing, making clothes for her daughters and granddaughters, and even making jewelry.  She was a member of Park Street United Methodist Church and was a loving mother and grandmother.

Survivors of Mrs. McDonald include her daughters and sons-in-law, Leah and Brian Miller of Lincolnton, NC; Karen and Adam Bennett of Rutherfordton, NC; brother and sister-in-law, Daryl and Libby Hutchins of Gastonia, NC; sister-in-law, Shirley Hutchins; grandchildren, Ellie Sidney Miller, Lorelai Miller, Alex Bennett, and Melina Bennett; nephews, Doug Hutchins, Jeff Hutchins, and Chris Hutchins; niece, Shana Raibstein.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Larry Ray McDonald, her brother, Grant Hutchins, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Earl and Edna McDonald; Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law, Elsie and Max Cloninger;

and by a nephew, Tim Cloninger.

The family will receive friends, Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 10:00am to 11:00am in the sanctuary of Park Street United Methodist Church in Belmont, NC.  A celebration of life will follow at 11:00am at the church with Pastor David Hiatt officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 5445 77 Center Drive, Suite 60, Charlotte, NC 28217, www.heart.org <http://www.heart.org/>, American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Ave., Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28207, www.cancer.org <http://www.cancer.org/>, or to Alzheimer’s Association, Western NC Chapter, 4600 Park Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209, www.alz.org <http://www.alz.org/>.

Condolence messages may be shared at www.McLeanFuneral.com <http://www.McLeanFuneral.com/>.

McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is assisting the family of Mrs. McDonald.