Myrtle Mae was born April 21, 1928, in Holguín, Cuba to Irene McKenzie and Victor McDonald, emigrants from Jamaica. She was the fourth of her mother’s five children. Myrtle was raised by her dearest Godparents, Sarah Allen and William Clayton, as a young child. Affectionately known as “Maria,” Myrtle spent her adolescence learning the art of cooking Cuban cuisine under the tutelage of her mom, whom she credits with helping her become an outstanding cook and baker. She had a grade school education and had to work at an early age. Nonetheless, she was remarkably sharp and wise for her age. Myrtle found great pleasure dancing with her sisters on the weekends at the Jamaican social clubs in Holguín. She was a believer in Christ Jesus and a member of the Methodist Church in Cuba.
In 1960, Myrtle left Cuba for the United States and proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1965. She met and later married Ecclesiastes (E.C.) Taylor in Washington, D.C., at the historic Asbury United Methodist Church, where she was a member for many years. From their union, they had beloved daughters Irene Marie and Cecelia Marie. They were married for 32 years until E.C.’s death in 1999.
Myrtle developed her own flair for fashion and style, which she maintained well into her later years. She worked as a domestic housekeeper and nanny and retired in the early 1990s. She enjoyed traveling and cooking and extended her hospitality to her many friends and family. Myrtle especially enjoyed the time spent with her best friend, Victoria (Vicky) Richardson. They enjoyed shopping, dining out and traveling, including visiting Vicky’s homeland of Trinidad. In 1996, Myrtle returned to Cuba after 36 years to visit her remaining friends and family, and her mother’s gravesite. The delicious Cuban foods she lovingly prepared have become a hallmark of her legacy.
After retirement, Myrtle became “Nannie” to the sons of her daughter Irene’s lifelong “sister friends.” Nannie loved and doted on Pierre “Lil P” Inabinet, Dante Inabinet, and Carlos “Losi” Alexander-Kennedy. She later experienced her greatest joy, becoming “Grandma” to Irene’s son Christopher Alexander and daughter Camille Mercedes, who she cared for until suffering a stroke in 2004. They were the light of her life, and she loved them deeply.
Myrtle was a no-nonsense, feisty Cuban-Jamaican woman who did not mince her words. Her voice carried loudly, and she did not hesitate to speak her mind. In addition, she was equally affectionate and warmhearted, and was a loyal friend. Myrtle always held firmly to her beliefs about what was right and just. She remained in Washington for most of her adult life. In 2005, she relocated to San Antonio, Texas, to receive full-time care, with daughter Irene, son-in-law Tony, and grandchildren.
Myrtle is preceded in death by her parents, husband E.C., sisters Guduline Mercedes (Tia Merci) and Rosa Teresa (Tia Rosa) McDonald, sister-in-law Juanita (Tia Juana) McDonald, and brothers Hugh Miller and Arturo Victor (Tio Arturo) McDonald. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter and son-in-law Irene and Tony White of San Antonio, Texas, daughter and son-in-law Cecelia and Lawrence Hicks of Oxon Hill, Maryland, grandchildren Christopher and Camille White, and a host of family and friends.
A visitation for Myrtle will be held from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. followed by a funeral service from 12:00p.m. to 1:00p.m. Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148
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