In loving Memory of Hesta Gayle Gabbert Griffitts

June 28, 1949 - November 12, 2022,

On November 12, 2022, after a long illness, Hesta Gayle Gabbert Griffitts a beloved Mother, Sister and Auntie passed away at age 73. She was the oldest daughter of Earl Gabbert (born November 29, 1921, in Atoka, Oklahoma and died in 1997 in Denison, Texas) and Pernicia “Pat” Lane (born August 11, 1911, in Texas and died August 16, 1988, in Denison, Texas). She was born into a blended family and instantly became a blessing to her older sister Martha Pernicia Makuch and older brother David Ridley Dollahite. Hesta Gayle is survived by son William Earl MacDonald and his wife Liesa, as well as sister Ginger Mc Gill and brother in-law Bruce Mc Gill. She is also survived by nephews Michael Makuch, Mark Makuch, and Maury Brown and nieces Michelle Dent, Amy Brown Miller and Meghan Mc Gill.

Those who preceded Hesta Gayle in death include her parents Earl and Pat, sister Martha Dollahite Makuch and brother David Dollahite as well her 1st husband TerryMcDonald and 2nd husband Garland Griffitts.

Hesta Gayle spent her childhood riding horseback and teasing her baby sister in Boyd, Texas. She learned to play the same saxophone that her brother David once learned to play, and that same saxophone was handed down too little sister Ginger. She graduated from Boyd High School in 1967. Hesta then attended college at North Texas.

April 5, 1973, Hesta Gayle married Terry William McDonald in Euless, Texas. They were excited to welcome their son William to the world on February 24, 1975. Hesta Gayle loved gathering with family and friends to play games and laugh. She was very close with sisters Martha and Ginger. The three made sure the cousins grew up together and that their Christmas’ were a magical experience. As a family, we all have fond memories of getting together at Uncle Vic and Aunt Hesta’s house in Fort Worth. The children got a kick out of eating fried bologna and playing with their plinko game. The family also enjoyed spending time out at the Gabbert farm in Dennison Texas with Paw Paw Earl and Maw Maw Pat.

In a new season of her life, Hesta Gayle married the love of her life Garland “Griff” Wayne Griffitts Jr. on November 21, 1986. Hesta Gayle and William were joined with Griff and his son Scott and daughter Erin. The happy couple ultimately built their dream home in Granbury, Texas where they resided until Griff’s untimely passing. This was the start of a new chapter in her life that brought her very close to son William and so their new adventure began taking them from Texas and California to Phoenix, Arizona then Chicago, Illinois and then Las Vegas, Nevada.

Son William fell in love with a wonderful woman from Germany named Liesa “Ann” Hannemann. The two were married and made their home in Bonn, Germany. Hesta Gayle was able to travel to Germany to visit William and Liesa on 2 separate occasions. The three were able to travel to many parts of Europe. She very much enjoyed sampling chocolates in Belgium, visiting the magnificent historic castles and Christmas markets or Weihnachtsmarkt. She felt very fortunate for these opportunities in her Golden Years. She was happy and proud to tell friends and family that William and Liesa were both compassionate caregivers.

Hesta Gayle was an amazing cook and is remembered to follow recipes meticulously. Her passion and love language were expressed in her baking. She also enjoyed crafting, especially with her sisters and friends. She created beautifully crocheted items to keep family and friends warm in winter months. She artfully created magnificent stamp crafts including heartfelt cards and made friends in this creative community. She most recently began creating Diamond Facet Art with shimmering Dotz.

For those who had the honor to know her, we will remember her sense of humor, ability to make a friend with anyone that had the pleasure of meeting her, always up for anything, her narrow and long Gabbert feet, her love of her family and celebrating life.

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