1930
Gwen
2007
Gwen McDonald
June 1, 1930 — August 10, 2007
HARLINGEN:
Gwen McDonald, 77, died August 10, 2007 in Harlingen, Texas. She was born June 1, 1930 in Fouke Arkansas to Alec and Zana Ethridge. She grew up in Fouke Arkansas with four brothers and one sister, Clyde, Roy, Andrew, Thomas and Zettie. Gwen attended Fouke High School where she was on the Women’s Basketball Team. Gwen moved to Houston, Texas to attend Business College and worked for Tennessee Gas. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and met the love of her live, Norman McDonald while planning a sorority party. After marrying in 1950, they lived in Houston until 1967 when they moved to the Rio Grande Valley, in Harlingen, where the went into business together, United Steel Products, Inc. and later purchasing a Texaco Oil and Gas Distributorship, Norman McDonald Inc.
She was a Life member of PTA and was involved at each school her daughters attended. She will be especially remembered for the “Long Day Before Christmas” story she read during Christmas parties at her daughters Elementary School. She could even be found painting spirit signs for HHS Pep Rallies and Friday Night Football games. Gwen and Norman will be remembered for hosting many parties for the girls and also for their neighborhood pool parties fondly referred to as “Club Mac.” Gwen lived at Camelot Retirement Community for the last 3 years where she enjoyed the fellowship of the residents and fun they had at the Lodge. Gwen was a great cook and many of her dishes would be at the Camelot Pot Luck Dinners. Gwen will be remembered for her green thumb and beautiful yard at home and at her Church Rose Garden. Gwen was a member of First Christian Church and served the church on many Committees. Gwen volunteered many years for RioFest, and the Board and Volunteers will miss her great Fried Chicken meals and support.
Gwen is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Mike) Preddy and Gena (Dan Hirst) McDonald and two granddaughters, Tiffany Preddy and Jordan McDonald, and special nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers and sister.
The family wants to thank the staff of Angel Care, Sandi Jo Funk Hospice, providers Lupita Garcia and Yvette Velasquez, and the many friends at Camelot.
Visitation will be Saturday, August 11, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Sunday August 12, 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church Harlingen. Burial will be Tuesday, at Forest Park Lawndale, Houston, TX.
Honorary pallbearers will be Hollis Sullivan, Bob Binney, Charlie Booth, Leon Daniel, Greg Powers, Bill Floyd, Jim Servos and William McDonald.
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen, RioFest, Inc., The American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
Gwen McDonald, 77, died August 10, 2007 in Harlingen, Texas. She was born June 1, 1930 in Fouke Arkansas to Alec and Zana Ethridge. She grew up in Fouke Arkansas with four brothers and one sister, Clyde, Roy, Andrew, Thomas and Zettie. Gwen attended Fouke High School where she was on the Women’s Basketball Team. Gwen moved to Houston, Texas to attend Business College and worked for Tennessee Gas. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and met the love of her live, Norman McDonald while planning a sorority party. After marrying in 1950, they lived in Houston until 1967 when they moved to the Rio Grande Valley, in Harlingen, where the went into business together, United Steel Products, Inc. and later purchasing a Texaco Oil and Gas Distributorship, Norman McDonald Inc.
She was a Life member of PTA and was involved at each school her daughters attended. She will be especially remembered for the “Long Day Before Christmas” story she read during Christmas parties at her daughters Elementary School. She could even be found painting spirit signs for HHS Pep Rallies and Friday Night Football games. Gwen and Norman will be remembered for hosting many parties for the girls and also for their neighborhood pool parties fondly referred to as “Club Mac.” Gwen lived at Camelot Retirement Community for the last 3 years where she enjoyed the fellowship of the residents and fun they had at the Lodge. Gwen was a great cook and many of her dishes would be at the Camelot Pot Luck Dinners. Gwen will be remembered for her green thumb and beautiful yard at home and at her Church Rose Garden. Gwen was a member of First Christian Church and served the church on many Committees. Gwen volunteered many years for RioFest, and the Board and Volunteers will miss her great Fried Chicken meals and support.
Gwen is survived by her daughters, Kathy (Mike) Preddy and Gena (Dan Hirst) McDonald and two granddaughters, Tiffany Preddy and Jordan McDonald, and special nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers and sister.
The family wants to thank the staff of Angel Care, Sandi Jo Funk Hospice, providers Lupita Garcia and Yvette Velasquez, and the many friends at Camelot.
Visitation will be Saturday, August 11, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Sunday August 12, 2 p.m. at the First Christian Church Harlingen. Burial will be Tuesday, at Forest Park Lawndale, Houston, TX.
Honorary pallbearers will be Hollis Sullivan, Bob Binney, Charlie Booth, Leon Daniel, Greg Powers, Bill Floyd, Jim Servos and William McDonald.
Memorial gifts may be sent to the Boys & Girls Club of Harlingen, RioFest, Inc., The American Cancer Society or the charity of your choice.
You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.buck-ashcraft.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gwen McDonald, please visit our flower store.