Dolores Williams McDonald

Dolores “Dee” Julia Williams McDonald, age 85, was born at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was a resident of New Orleans for 65 years and attended Homedale Elementary School, Gretna Middle School, and West Jefferson High School.

She worked as a 911 Operator with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office for nearly 24 years and retired in 2005. She also trained new operators, a responsibility she took pride in throughout her career, and was known as someone others could rely on.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Dee relocated to Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she lived in Moss Bluff near her daughter’s family. She was a faithful Catholic and attended St. Theodore Catholic Church in Moss Bluff, where she was a member of the church choir.

Dee enjoyed singing as a high soprano in her high school choir, playing piano duets with her sister Juanita, studying ballroom dancing, traveling, especially to the Caribbean, taking cruises, and spending time with her family. She especially loved telling stories and sharing memories.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Noble Williams, and her daughter, Jena Boudreaux.

She is survived by her children, Darren McDonald and Janel Zareck and her husband, Anthony; her siblings, Juanita Boudreaux and Thomas Williams and his wife, Karen; her grandchildren, Dara, Devan, Erin, Chloe, Christopher, and Clara; her great-grandchildren, Billy, Avah, and Maddox; and her great-great-grandchildren, Raiden, Alice, Castyn, and Etta Mae.

Dee was married to Ray McDonald, the father of her children, for 19 years. She was the godmother to her niece, Pam Kleinpeter, who lovingly called her “Nanny.” She was also a loving aunt to Cherie, Tommy, Jason, Alicia, and Laura, as well as many additional nieces and nephews.

In her later years, Dee was a resident of Villa Maria Retirement Community in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where she was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of Villa Maria Retirement Community and to Brighton Bridge Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness shown to Dee.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Services will be private for immediate family, followed by a celebration of life and interment at Lake Lawn Cemetery in Metairie, Louisiana.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.