Louise Nedia McGhee

May 29,1931 - July 12,2013

Louise Nedia McGhee of Don Pedro, CA passed away on July 12, 2013.

Louise was born on May 29, 1931 in Santa Cruz, CA to Lloyd and Alverta Bourriague. She had one older brother Lloyd "Junior" Bourriague. She attended elementary and junior high school in the Santa Cruz area. In 1945 her parents purchased an old dairy in Modesto, CA and converted it into a peach ranch. Louise attended Modesto High School and graduated in 1949. In her senior yearbook she was voted most athletic. It was at Modesto High where she met Bill McGhee, whom later became her husband. Bill and Louise wed on July 12, 1951. Together they raised four beautiful daughters.

Louise attended Modesto Junior College and later transferred to San Francisco State where she received her teaching credentials in Special Education. She spent most of her teaching years at John F. Kennedy school in Modesto. Not only was she a teacher, she also helped Bill in their steel business, was an active partner on the peach ranch, a wife, a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.

In 1992, Louise and Bill sold their peach ranch and moved to Don Pedro, CA. Together they built their dream house on the lake. After Bill's passing in 1994, Louise's mom, Alverta, also known as "Gammy" moved in with her, along with her brother whom also moved to the Don Pedro area. Louise had the great privilege of caring for her mother. They enjoyed doing many things together. Anything from giving each other perms, to fishing, to gardening, to canning, to watching "Days of Our Lives" every afternoon. Her mother passed in 2008.

To most people Louise was known as "Mawka." You would rarely find her indoors. She loved being outside. Whether she was working in her yard making sure each plant was planted equal distance apart, canning in the barn with her daughters and granddaughters, or down at the lake teaching all her grand children how to fish with just a worm and a bobber, Mawka loved the outdoors. If you did find her indoors, she was probably in the kitchen making a batch of her famous spaghetti for all her grandchildren and their friends. She had a true passion for gardening, canning, and fishing.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bill McGhee. Her parents Lloyd and Alverta Bourriague and her brother Lloyd "Junior" Bourriague. She is survived by her four daughters: Vickii (Gary) Zaiger of Modesto, CA. Drena (Rich) Wagner of Escalon, CA. Tami (Jim) Levand of Tracy, CA. Kip (Laird) Bryhni of Modesto, CA. Eleven grand children, four great-grandchildren. Her nephew Marc, and his son Alex.

A private graveside service will be held Friday July 19, 2013 at 10:00 am at Lakewood Funeral Home located at 900 Santa Fe Ave. Hughson, CA 95326. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.