In Appreciation: Rosa McDonald
Feisty and colorful USNI Commodore Rosa Laird McDonald, 92, died peacefully at her home in Delaware, on 3 January 2009. She was a 40-year Life Member, a generous supporter, and a popular visitor to Beach Hall.
After graduating from high school in 1934 she worked as a girl Friday at her family's private airport in Wilmington, Delaware and became certified as a pilot by age 21. She was a passenger on one of the first round-the-world Pan American Clipper flights in 1939 and finagled her way into several stints as co-pilot during the eight-week journey.
After the death of Nathan Hayward, the Army officer she married in 1941, Rosa wed Ellice McDonald, who survives her. They shared a passion for animals, domestic and exotic, and always had a menagerie of pets roaming their estate, Invergarry. Rosa's lifelong interest in genealogy led her to trace Ellice's Scottish roots and to ignite his interest in his family's strong ties to the Isle of Skye. Ellice eventually became Chieftain of the Clan Donald Society of the United States.
Rosa's insatiable curiosity extended to military subjects, as well. When she researched the role of Nepalese Ghurka regiments in World War II and learned of their shabby treatment after the war, she created a program of privately financed care for these unsung heroes. In 1992, Queen Elizabeth II made Rosa an Honorary Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of her long-time commitment to the Ghurka Welfare Trust.
In addition to Ellice, she is survived by a daughter, Nancy Hayward, sons Nathan and Pierre Hayward, and five grandsons. Her daughter Rosa Hayward Jones died in 2006.
Rosa McDonald, throughout her life, remained sharp as a tack. Her wit and warm good humor will be missed by all who knew and appreciated her.
Top Supporters of 2008
The Naval Institute enjoyed the support of a record number of major donors in 2008. Our thanks to the following individuals whose generosity placed them in our Leadership Circle for 2008:
Mr. Robert C. Bellas, Jr.
Commander Pete Bennett, USN (Ret.)
Captain Nicholas Brown, USN (Ret.)
Mr. Clyde L. Crawford
Captain Russell S. Crenshaw Jr., USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Dirk J. Debbink, USN
Mr. Donald R. Dixon
Captain Charles D. Fox III, USNR (Ret.)
Captain Wayne R. Fritz, USN (Ret.)
Commander Harold E. Gordon, USNR (Ret.)
Mr. Alan C. Goudy
Mr. Richard H. Hakanson
Mr. Milledge A. Hart III
Mr. Paul Hoff
Lieutenant Commander Lawrence B. Hunt, USN (Ret.)
Captain James E. Johnson, USN (Ret.)
Mr. Howard J. Kestenberg
Captain Harry W. Konkel, USN (Ret.)
Commander John T. Knudsen, USN (Ret.)
Captain Lloyd G. LeCain Jr., USN (Ret.)
Colonel Andrew J. Ley, USMCR (Ret.)
Captain Paul G. Linaweaver Jr., USN (Ret.)
Mr. David Lyman
Mr. Philip W. McMahan
Mrs. Angie F. Marshall
Commander Channing W. Medwedeff, USN (Ret.)
Commander W. Lincoln Mossop Jr., USN (Ret.)
Colonel George Mushalko, USAF (Ret.)
The Honorable Sean O'Keefe
Lieutenant Commander Jason M. Pilalas, USNR (Ret.)
Mr. Frank T. Price
Dr. Michael Rabinowitz
Lieutenant Commander Thor H. Ramsing, USNR (Ret.)
Mr. Robert S. Regan
Lieutenant Commander James A. Roberts, USNR (Ret.)
Commander Richard M. Rosenberg, USNR
Dr. Robert W. Selle
Mr. Eugene Siembieda
Vice Admiral George P. Steele II, USN (Ret.)
Commander Ralph W. Stell Jr., USN (Ret.)
Mr. Gerald D. Sullivan
Mr. R. Peter Sullivan III
Mr. Andrew F. Tabas
Mr. Andrew C. Taylor
Mr. O. Jay Tomson
Vice Admiral Patricia A. Tracey, USN (Ret.)
Mr. Everett P. Weaver
Mr. Howard R. Weiss
Captain James E. Wise Jr., USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Lando W. Zech, Jr., USN (Ret.)
Anonymous Donor