Opal Audell McDonald

November 9, 1926 - February 26, 2018

Opal Audell Tidmon McDonald, 91, passed away peacefully Monday, February 26, 2018 at her home in Richmond, Texas. She was born November 9, 1926 in Goose Creek Texas to the late Anna Mae Turner and William Orville Tidmon. Opal will be forever remembered by her devoted children, Blake McDonald and Tracy McDonald Zaidenweber, her loving son in law Marco Zaidenweber and treasured grandchildren Arianna and Stefan Zaidenweber. Opal had three dear sisters, the late Dorothy Tidmon, Grace Havard and Ruth Tidmon. Nieces Karen Sue Parker and Sherrie Ann Ford held a special place in Opal’s heart along with many other nieces and nephews. Born into a family of great strength and character yet little resources, through sheer determination and a willingness to work hard, Opal singlehandedly built a successful landscaping company that allowed her to spend each day doing what she loved to do as well as achieve the goals in life that she set for herself. Opal managed to overcome any adversities that life put before her and maintained a spirit of kindness and generosity throughout. Opal’s work sustained her and she had great pride in contributing to people’s enjoyment and happiness in their home through her beautiful landscaping. The births of her grandchildren were the highlights of her later years. The loving and close relationships that she shared with them brought her an enormous amount of joy. She impacted their lives in indescribable ways and the love they have for her will live on forever in them. Opal’s authenticity and quick smile along with an ability to live life by her rules was adored by all that knew her. We are left in awe at all that she was able to achieve in her lifetime. She was an amazing mother to her children, a wonderful mother in law, a successful business owner and good friend to many. While her world of gardening surrounded her with delicate flowers, Opal was far from delicate-a tenacious loyal and unwavering character, fervently loved and admired by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. In her last weeks she could be heard frequently repeating, “I had a wonderful life.” Opal was a wonderful person and will be missed by everybody that had the good fortune to share in her life. A memorial service celebrating Opal’s life will be held Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 1:30 PM at Dettling Funeral Home 14094 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77079.