Mrs. Dorothy Jane McDonald

Mrs. Dorothy Jane McDonald, age 87, of Austin, TX, formerly of Houston, TX and the Rio Grande Valley, passed away April 18, 2014, from sudden illness. In the arms of her loved ones, she joined her Lord Jesus Christ, her devoted sweetheart of 65 years, Robert "Lendy" McDonald, and many family and friends. Dorothy was born in Houston, TX on July 2, 1926, to C.V. & Evalin Murry. She is survived by son Vance (Denise) McDonald, daughter Bobbye (Joe) Dowda, daughter Maggie (Ernie) Hammond, and son Tyler (Polly) McDonald; grandchildren Joshua& Carl (Matilda) Hammond, Jon (Kristen) McDonald, K atie (Patrick) Searcy, and Eva Mueller; great-grandchildren Noah, Amelia, Clara, Tyler, Ethan, Brandon, & Gavin Hammond, and Connor & Keegan McDonald. Dorothy was a graduate of Lamar High School in Houston, TX; attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX; and married Robert McDonald on September 1, 1945 upon his return from his service in World War II. Among her many talents she was an accomplished soprano soloist, watercolor painter, and a passionate bridge and mahjong player. She served one term as the President of the Houston Junior Forum, a non-profit organization that serves children, youth, and senior adults. However, her most meaningful accomplishment and life's greatest work was as a devoted wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, and supportive friend. Her husband, Lendy, attributed his many successes in life to her love and support for him. Dorothy and Lendy retired to the Rio Grande Valley in 1971 where they pursued an active role in the formation of the Cameron County Texas Republican Party. They participated for two decades to further the cause of American conservatism and the Republican Party, and worked with President Ronald Reagan, President George H. W. Bush, and Senator Phil Gramm. A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m. at Renaissance-Austin retirement community, 11279 Taylor Draper Lane, Austin, TX 78759. Donations can be made in Dorothy's memory to the American Lung Association (http://www.lung.org/) in her name.