Obituary of Patricia McDonald

March 2, 1932 – Nov. 25, 2014 Friends and family will gather to say good-bye to our loving mom, grandmother, and friend, Pat Mc Donald who passed away unexpectedly at her Santa Cruz home. Born in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, she was 82 years old. An adventurer who never missed an opportunity to explore, Pat left Canada at the age of 19 and moved to Las Vegas. While working at The Sands Resort and Casino, she met Earnest Wingo who was the head bell hop. The couple were married, and Earnie's career in hotel management spanned several decades. After living in various places, including Las Vegas, Nevada, and Galveston, Texas, they moved to Santa Cruz in 1964 where Earnie would manage the Dream Inn. In 1970 Pat married George McDonald and they resided in Scotts Valley for 28 years. Pat started her career in Water Department Management at Soquel Creek Co. Water District and finished by retiring from the more than 30 years that she worked as the customer service manager for Santa Cruz Municipal Water Department where she leaves friends and colleagues that will miss her. She loved to golf; completing a round just the week of her passing, and was a familiar face with the Ladies Tuesday Group, "The Nine Holers" at DeLaveaga Golf Course. Pat was a long time cancer survivor and lived life fully and on her own terms. Pat was a long time member of the Santa Cruz Soroptimist Club, and volunteered her time with the Daisy Auxiliary. Upon her retirement, Pat, with her long-time companion, Walter Maus, became an accomplished traveler and visited destinations including Antarctica, Alaska, Locations in South America, Hong Kong, Russia, New Zealand and Australia, Ireland, Italy, Spain, England, Mexico and a safari in Africa. Pat also made numerous trips to the East Coast to visit family in New York and Canada. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Leta and Mark Van Den Heuvel of Soquel; daughter, Steacie Brightman of Santa Cruz; her son and daughter-in-law, Guy and Debbie Wingo of Felton, and her six beloved grandchildren, Emily (Jordan) Schneider, Dr. Audrey (Jeroun) Van Der Steen, Devon (Tim) Obert, Casey Van Den Heuvel, Keli Van Den Heuvel, Scott Van Den Heuvel, one great-grandson, Mason Obert and great granddaughter Olive Schneider Pat also leaves her sister, Rosemary White, and her brothers, Dennis Deacey, and Eugene Deacey Bisson, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in Ontario, Canada. Pat also leaves her loving companion of over 20 years, Walter Maus of Santa Cruz. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Francis and Emily Deacey, her brother, Frank Deacey, husbands, Earnest Wingo and George "Mac" McDonald. A Memorial Service for Pat will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at 10:00 am at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St. in Santa Cruz. Any kind acts of charity can be made in her name to Family Service Agency of the Central Coast, 104 Walnut Ave, Suite 208, Santa Cruz Ca 95060