1976
Denyse
2017
Denyse Jessica Mcdonald
August 6, 1976 — June 6, 2017
Denyse Jessica McDonald, 40, is the youngest daughter of Severo Jr. & María Elena (Santillán) McDonald of Sachse, TX (formally of Pharr). She was born on Friday, August 6, 1976. Denyse leaves behind the reasons for her courageous and hard-fought battles, her beautiful 10-year-old daughter, Lauren Isabel Soto, and her handsome 8-year-old son, Matthew Gabriel Soto of Edinburg. The love of her life and fiancé, Eric Garza of San Juan, is left with a void in his heart. She is also survived by her sisters, Esmeralda McDonald Guzman of Garland, TX and Thelma McDonald (Rick) Ramos of Sachse, TX; her brother, Nathan McDonald of Grand Prairie, TX; three nieces, three nephews, two grandnieces and a grandnephew; her paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Severo Sr. & Olivia McDonald of Pharr. She was loved by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Having built the stairway to heaven ahead of her were her maternal grandparents, Gilberto Santillán Sr. and María L. Santillán of San Juan.
She loved watching her children participate in sports such as softball and baseball, and she was their number one cheerleader. Taking them on vacations and spending quality time with them and her fiancé, Eric, was what she enjoyed.
Denyse fought a good fight, won a few battles, but lost the war. Our heavenly Father, the doctor of doctors, called her very early on Tuesday, June 6th. This was a call she couldn’t refuse, and she answered knowing that this was one appointment she wouldn’t be returning from. It had been raining heavily the past couple of days, but on that morning the clouds only loomed in the sky and the day turned into a beautiful sunny one. The heavens opened and rejoiced at welcoming another angel. She is at a reunion with family and friends she hasn’t seen in some time. There is music, love and laughter in abundance but there are no more tears, no more pain, and no more sadness.
Denyse's formative years at PSJA North HS are unforgettable. She gained the popular vote and was crowned Homecoming Queen. She was well accomplished, all by her graduation in 1994. Denyse was a cheerleader, drum major, played the quads in the marching band, and even became a black belt in karate. She had excellent work ethic. Our precious Denyse was goal-oriented and tenacious but most importantly she treated everyone with respect and kindness (evident in her beautiful and brilliant smile).
Denyse continued her studies at UTPA making the Dean’s List and receiving her BS in Education in 1999. She received her Master’s in Social Work, specifically Geriatrics, in 2006 from the University of Houston. As an employee of Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Denyse helped many individuals in different aspects of need, but especially in hospice. Denyse was currently employed by La Feria ISD at the Academy, where she worked as a counselor with “at risk” students.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Friday, June 9th, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 East Canton in Edinburg. Funeral Mass will be at 12 noon on Saturday, June 10th at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in San Juan. Burial will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Pallbearers are: Nathan McDonald, Eric Banda, Eric Garza, Michael Ramos, Sammy Guzman, and Jose Luis Santillán.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.
She loved watching her children participate in sports such as softball and baseball, and she was their number one cheerleader. Taking them on vacations and spending quality time with them and her fiancé, Eric, was what she enjoyed.
Denyse fought a good fight, won a few battles, but lost the war. Our heavenly Father, the doctor of doctors, called her very early on Tuesday, June 6th. This was a call she couldn’t refuse, and she answered knowing that this was one appointment she wouldn’t be returning from. It had been raining heavily the past couple of days, but on that morning the clouds only loomed in the sky and the day turned into a beautiful sunny one. The heavens opened and rejoiced at welcoming another angel. She is at a reunion with family and friends she hasn’t seen in some time. There is music, love and laughter in abundance but there are no more tears, no more pain, and no more sadness.
Denyse's formative years at PSJA North HS are unforgettable. She gained the popular vote and was crowned Homecoming Queen. She was well accomplished, all by her graduation in 1994. Denyse was a cheerleader, drum major, played the quads in the marching band, and even became a black belt in karate. She had excellent work ethic. Our precious Denyse was goal-oriented and tenacious but most importantly she treated everyone with respect and kindness (evident in her beautiful and brilliant smile).
Denyse continued her studies at UTPA making the Dean’s List and receiving her BS in Education in 1999. She received her Master’s in Social Work, specifically Geriatrics, in 2006 from the University of Houston. As an employee of Knapp Medical Center in Weslaco, Denyse helped many individuals in different aspects of need, but especially in hospice. Denyse was currently employed by La Feria ISD at the Academy, where she worked as a counselor with “at risk” students.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary Friday, June 9th, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 East Canton in Edinburg. Funeral Mass will be at 12 noon on Saturday, June 10th at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish in San Juan. Burial will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Pallbearers are: Nathan McDonald, Eric Banda, Eric Garza, Michael Ramos, Sammy Guzman, and Jose Luis Santillán.
Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Denyse Jessica Mcdonald, please visit our flower store.
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