Roberta Ann McDonald's Obituary
Roberta Ann Ladner McDonald, born December 4, 1944, in New Orleans, LA, passed away November 10, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. Parents Jerome A. Ladner and Julia Annie Peck Ladner. A move to the Dallas, Texas area to grow up in.
Roberta attended a secretarial school after high school and had several positions before her long-term association with Jefferson Life Insurance Company, where it was noted that her shorthand skills were amazing. She became a member of the Beta Sigma Phi International sorority and served her local chapter in several offices including president. She kept her connections with this group throughout her lifetime to maintain close relationships with friends Lynn Mauldin and Rebekka Koepke as well as staying current on issues relating to the sorority.
In the past Roberta was a member of the Greater Dallas Obedience Club, first training her own dog and then working with classes for beginners in obedience. Her breed of choice was poodles, and she had one show quality boy that earned his AKC championship. Her last poodle boy Mobie that was with her for over seven years.
Roberta married John Calvin McDonald Jr. (Jack) and stepped forward to being an active grandmother with Jack. The grandsons were frequent visitors where it was always an adventure to play and swim with Granddaddy Jack and Roberta.
Roberta is survived by her stepdaughter Diann M. McDonald London, husband Steve, grandson John C. London, wife Erica Breese and great-grand kids Benjamin and Sydney, grandson Lee M. London, wife Katherine London and granddaughter Nora. She is also survived by several cousins Margie Ladner Sims and daughter Nicole Dawn Sims, and cousins Barbara Ann and Carroll Carson, James A Ladner and Kathleen A Ladner Miller. Margie and Roberta have stayed in close contact down through the years with a phone call in the last two weeks. Margie was a friend and not just a relative as they shared an interest in family history.
Roberta has been a member of the Lake Highlands Congregation of the Jehovah's Witnesses and there found a loving community that has stayed in close connection as she began to lose her independence. For the last 27 years Roberta has had a friend, neighbor, occasional dog watcher, help in driving her to appointments and meetings at the kingdom hall in Paula Beebe.
As a family we know that many will miss Roberta and are grateful for her strong friendships with Paula, Lynn, Rebekka, and her cousin Margie. We thank the loving care she has received at the Brookdale Lake Highlands location as she moved to assisted living.
Services will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 2:00pm at the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home and Cemetery. A time of visitation with her family will be held from 1:00-2:00 prior to the funeral service.
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