Amanda McDonald

Obituary – Amanda Nichole McDonald 06/17/1999 - 08/03/2025

Amanda McDonald June 17, 1999 – August 3, 2025

Amanda McDonald was born on June 17, 1999, in Reno, Nevada, to Timothy John McDonald and Elaine Mary Vezzolo. On August 3, 2025, at only 26 years old, she passed away unexpectedly in Eugene, Oregon.

Amanda’s life was shaped by both joy and hardship. Growing up in an environment where substance use was a reality, she faced her own struggles. But those challenges never defined her. She was creative, full of light, and deeply compassionate. Her warmth touched everyone she met, and her laughter, her smile, and her free spirit left a lasting impression.

At the age of 13, Amanda became a mother—a role that transformed her life. When her son, Johnathan Joseph Michael, was born, Amanda found a powerful sense of purpose. She was fiercely determined to be the best mother she could be. Against the odds, she finished high school, pursued her LPN training, and raised Johnathan with strength, love, and resilience. She often said they would grow up together—and in many ways, they did.

If you ever saw Amanda walk into a room, you’d remember it. Her presence, her beauty, her smile—they lit up every space she entered. The laughter she shared, the little adventures, the quiet moments of joy—those are the memories she leaves behind. They are her gifts to us.

Though Amanda’s journey on this earth has ended, her story continues. Her love, her courage, and her enduring spirit live on in the hearts of those she touched. Let her life remind us to love more deeply, live more kindly, and support one another more fiercely.

Amanda is survived by her parents, Timothy and Elaine; her beloved son, Johnathan; her half-siblings, Covenant Vezzolo, John Tyson McDonald, and Eliza Lindquist; and her grandmother Lila of Salinas, California. She will be deeply missed by her many uncles, aunts, extended family, and friends who loved her dearly.

Funeral arrangements are pending at St. Paul Catholic Church in Eugene, Oregon.