Donna Mae McElroy

Donna, aged 71, died peacefully on December 14, 2013, at her daughter's home in Denver, Co. with her family at her side after a long struggle with respiratory issues and a brief battle with cancer. Donna was born on January 1, 1942, in Fowler, Ca. and was the daughter of Boyd and Phyllis Pursell.

Donna is survived by her sons, Randall Lane McElroy, and Denis Lon McElroy; her daughter, Dawnell Lynn Mays; granddaughters, Allison and Denise Mays; and brother Vernon Pursell.

Donna was involved in 4-H while growing up in Malaga, Ca. and was the President of the FHA club before graduating from Fowler High School in 1959. She met her husband Wesley C. McElroy while playing clarinet in the band at Fresno City College and married him in 1964. Randall was the first of three children born in 1966 and in 1969 Donna gave birth to a set of twins and named them Denis and Dawnell.

Donna retired as a Registered Nurse from Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, Ca. She had a lifelong pursuit of the nursing profession and eventually received her Nursing degree in 1994. She could always be counted on to volunteer for many programs her children were involved with such as the PTA, Little League and Girl Scouts of America.

Donna was the middle child in a family of three brothers and one sister. She loved all her family and loved being called Aunt Mae by numerous nieces and nephews. Although she moved away from the Fresno area in the 60's, she always felt the Fresno area was her home.

She will be returning home one last time.

Her Funeral Service will be held at Lisle Funeral Home on Monday, December 30, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Fowler District Cemetery. After services please join the family for dinner at the Fowler Baptist Church.