Donna Mae McDaniel, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on Feb. 26, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
At 88 years of age, she lived a long life filled with the love of family and friends.
Donna was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. She was very proud to have earned an elementary education bachelors degree from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas.
Donna met James McDaniel at a college church function in Boulder and became pen pals while she completed her degree and launched her teaching career.
On June 5,1960, Donna and Jim joined their lives together in marriage. They were committed to each other for the remainder of their lives.
Donna and Jim welcomed two daughters, Aleta and Teresa, to their family, and soon after Santa Maria, California, became their home.
Donna poured her life into her family while working part time as a substitute elementary teacher.
She was an active and devoted member of First Christian Church in Santa Maria until Jim passed away in 2008. Donna eventually moved to Texas to live near her daughter.
Donna’s warm spirit was matched by her feisty personality. She loved spending time with her family, playing bingo, watching basketball and her beloved soap operas, assembling puzzles, and reading Christian novels.
Her life was a testament to her enduring faith, her commitment to family, and her joy in life’s simple pleasures.
Donna is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 47 years James E. McDaniel; and her siblings John Lee, Mary Carson and Barbara Snook.
She is survived by her brother Bill Lee and his wife Sandra; her daughters, Aleta Harrison (Scott), and Teresa Griffin (Tim); Teresa’s children Ryan Griffin (Brittany), Lauren Denton (TJ), and Bryce Griffin (Bethany); and great granddaughter Penelope Grace Griffin (Bryce and Bethany).
Donna’s legacy of love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to her family will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.
Visit www.dudleyhoffmanmortuary.com to leave a condolence for the family.