Maxine McNabb's Obituary
Maxine DuVall McNabb died peacefully in Houston, TX on September 5, 2009 after a lengthy struggle with Parkinson's disease. She was born on the farm in rural Moravia to Mamie and Otha ""Dutch"" DuVall on September 26, 1919. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Keith McNabb and daughter, Patricia Ann McNabb. Also preceding her were her sisters Madge Gardner, Winnie DuVall, Opal Wilson, and Doris Main along with cherished brothers- in-law Bruce Gardner, Archie Martin, Harry DuVall, and Bill Wilson.
She is survived by her daughter Janet McNabb Roberts (husband Dan), granddaughter Natalie Lynne Gibb (husband Geoff), great grandsons William Keith Gibb and Jackson Daniel Gibb, granddaughter Stefanie Rene Roberts, sister Otha Lee Martin, cousin Dick Johnson (wife Helen), and brother-in- law Alan McNabb (wife Haydee). Numerous nieces and nephews are also survivors including Michael, Sally, and Jane Martin, Cindy Gardner, and Jack and Bill Wilson.
Maxine and Bill met when he rented a room at her mother's boarding house as a teacher at Moravia High. They both had fond memories of those years spent with her sisters, Otha Lee and Madge and the other boarders. Madge, too, met her husband when he rented a room at the house. Maxine left her beloved Iowa after her marriage to Bill June 15, 1941. They hooked up their travel trailer and set out for Dallas, TX where he was hired as a Mathematics instructor at The Hockaday School. Holidays and summer vacations were spent traveling back to Iowa to reunite with family and play ""Rook"" long into the night. They thoroughly enjoyed ""coming home"" to be with Otha Lee and Archie, Madge and Bruce, and the rest of the family. A highlight was picking berries with her cousin, Dick Johnson. All their children were the beneficiaries of the love and fun generated in those times.
Maxine was a faithful member of Eastridge Park Christian Church in Dallas and spent countless hours volunteering for her church and the Denton State School where her daughter Patty resided. The light of her life was her granddaughter, Natalie. Maxine took over the day to day tasks of getting Natalie to and from school and her activities while Janet was working. Maxine loved children and nothing made her happier than to be around little ones. The arrival of great grandchildren brought further joy. They could hardly wait to get in the door to see her, knowing that she had a plastic egg filled with jelly beans ready for them to crack open.
She will be missed, but we find joy knowing she is reunited with her loved ones waiting in Heaven.
A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 2 PM with Pastor Kenny Martin officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Parkinson Foundation www.parkinson.org or children's charity of your choice and may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be left online at www.thomaslangefuneralhome.com.
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