Jeanette Daniels McCrea

Jeanette Daniels was born in Dallas, Texas, on May 23, 1932, to James Noah Daniels and Bertha Brown Daniels. When Jeanette was 7 years old her family moved to a farm in east Texas close to the town of Hawkins. Here the children attended grammar school and later high school. Not long after relocating to the farm, James Noah died of a heart attack. He left behind his handicapped wife Bertha with six children and two stepchildren. Times were very hard. Those children who were old enough worked at whatever jobs they could find. During high school Jeanette began working in a doctors office where she decided to pursue a career in nursing. After her high school graduation in 1950 Jeanette attended St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Dallas where she became a registered nurse.
Jeanette continued to live in Dallas and worked for Dr. Ross Curtis. As a surgeon he also became her mentor and friend. The Curtis family had daughters close to Jeanette’s age and welcomed her into their family fold. They exposed her to a more genteel life including culture and travel. During this time, Jeanette became an active participant in the young adults group at the Dallas Seventh-day Adventist church. There she met and befriended a young couple named Don and Marilyn Halsell. They later introduced Jeanette to Auda Vee McCrea. Don and Auda Vee had been roommates at Union College in Lincoln, NE.
Auda Vee lived in Yancey, a good 300 miles from Dallas. He worked there in the family pecan business. Auda Vee was drawn to the fun times he shared with Jeanette with her spunky and independent disposition. He began visiting her in Dallas as many weekends as he could. Eventually AV’s parents suggested that he should marry that girl and bring her home so that he could pay more attention to the family business. They married on July 14, 1957 and Jeanette moved to Yancey where she made her home for over 50 years.
Auda Vee and Jeanette were devoted in marriage for the next 47 years. They added the joy of two daughters with Risë André in 1958 and Letitia Rose in 1964. Jeanette worked at different times in the family business, as a hospital floor nurse and as the Medina County Health nurse. Her last job was as charge nurse and administrator of McCrea’s Retirement Home in Yancey where she and Auda Vee provided comfort and loving care to many people for over 10 years.
Auda Vee passed away on April 1, 2004 after suffering several heart attacks. It was a sad day for all who knew him for he was respected and very much loved. In 2009 the girls moved Jeanette to Skaneateles, where Risë and her family live. Jeanette lived independently with her beloved little dog Bella where she enjoyed the quaint village with it’s pristine lake and being close to family. In 2015 ill health caused Jeanette to relocate to Finger Lakes Center for Living. She enjoyed her time there and made many friends amidst excellent care and loving staff. Jeanette passed to her rest on Dec. 18, 2017.
Jeanette leaves behind her daughter Risë with husband Mark and their two children Clarke and Camille; her daughter Letitia with husband Kevin; her brother Lee and his wife Dee; her sister Hazel Carlisle; her sister in-law Wildamea; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Jeanette loved to laugh, garden and to color. She especially loved the companionship of small dogs and the company of cats. Most of all, Jeanette loved doing things for other people and joyfully welcomed the rewarding life of service to others.
Donations may be made to Finger Lakes Center for Living 20 Park Ave, Auburn, NY 13021 in Jeanette’s name.
Memorial service will be held at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Finger Lakes Center for Living in the upstairs dining room, 20 Park Avenue, Auburn, NY 13201. Reception to follow, all are welcome. Funeral and burial in Yancey, TX, Jan. 3, 2018.