Hellen Janiece McDonald

Hellen Janiece McDonald passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 19th, 2017.  Janiece was born on March 02, 1921 in Storm Lake, IA to parents Edward and Francis (Sevning) Fox.  She had two older brothers, Terrell and Edward.  She attended high school in Logans Port, IN.  Following high school, Janiece moved to Long Beach, CA to be near family.  Shortly after moving to Long Beach she attended a dance at the Majestic Ballroom at the Pike in Long Beach and met Merle McDonald.  They fell deeply in love and married within a year in 1939.  They had 2 children, Terry and Janice.  They raised their family in the Los Angeles area living in Long Beach, Lakewood, Downey, and Cypress.  In 1981, they moved to Sun City, CA after Janiece fell in love with the area while visiting friends. 

Janiece enjoyed her role as a home maker her entire life.  She loved to paint and sew.  She made many of the clothes she wore and from time to time sold her paintings.  She was active in the Cypress Women’s Club serving as Secretary and Chairman during her tenure there.  She and Merle enjoyed socializing with friends and were members of a bowling league for many years.  After Merle’s retirement they traveled extensively including trips to England, Ireland, Scotland, Egypt, Holland, China, Korea, Hawaii, Mexico, and other destinations.  She was very active and enjoyed bicycling, walking and aerobics.   

Janiece is survived by her daughter, Janice Reed, 5 grandchildren, Stephenie Hockin, Teri McDonald, Shaun McDonald, Denise Reitz, and Mark Reed as well as 12 great grandchildren and many, many great great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband Merle and her son Terry, who passed within a month of each other in 2012. 

There will be a celebration of Janiece’s life at 1:45 PM on Friday, December 8, 2017 at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518. 

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