Joyce Cecelia McNamara

Joyce Cecelia McNamara (nee Obenchain), 94, of Sonoma, died Dec. 9, 2013, in Sonoma. Joyce was born of the Fourth of July in 1919 and was often referred to as a real firecracker. She was the wife of the late William McNamara for 54 years and loving mother of Elizabeth M. Wells, William A. McNamara, Edward T. McNamara, Susan J. McNamara-Hill and Julie C. McNamara. Joyce was the mother-in-law of Bruce L. Wells, Joanna G. McNamara, C. Dennis Hill and Richard A. Kleine.

She is survived by her sister, Janet Obenchain; and sister-in-law, Betty Graul. Joyce adored her 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews; her dear caregiver Debbie Barber; and her constant companion, her dog, Mistie.

Joyce worked in the photo lab of the FBI in Washington D.C. during World War II and as a bank manager for seven years on the Peninsula. She was an avid bridge player and worldwide traveler with her late husband. She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church in Menlo Park. She was a former resident of Palo Alto and a native of Logansport, Ind. She moved with her late husband to Sonoma in 1990 to be closer to their family.

Friends are invited to funeral services at Duggan’s Mission Chapel at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. Interment will be held at Sonoma Veterans Cemetery. Donations to Pets Lifeline are preferred by the family in Joyce’s memory.

Duggan’s Mission Chapelduggansmissionchapel.comSonoma