Ethel Emma Marie Danchak, (Nannie), a long time resident of the Coachella Valley, passed away August 5, 2010, twenty days after her 99th birthday. She and her late husband, John Roy Danchak, who preceded her in death by 32 years, were involved in community activities in Cathedral City for many years and were active parishioners of St. Louis Catholic Church before moving to Indio over 30 years ago. For many years Ethel served in the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and was named Volunteer of the Year in 1984. Ethel was a gracious, generous lady who loved "giving". It was a rare occasion when visitors would leave her presence without having a "goodie" of some sort to take with them. She also enjoyed word search puzzles and card games like poker and pinochle. She was an avid Bingo player and loved treating family members to Bingo games at the Indian casinos. Ethel is survived by her two children: Novella (Charles) King and John (Vivian) Danchak, all of Indio. She was the proud grandmother of eleven, two of whom (Randy Danchak and Chazz King) preceded her in death. Her surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren are: Bennie (Bob) Driskell of Antioch, Calif. and their children Andrew, Greg, David and Katie Driskell; Charles (Stephanie) King Jr. of Indio and his children Guinevere King, Amy (Charles) Stark) and Matthew King; Glenn (Lisa) King of Indio and their children Ryan, Sarah, Regan and Daniel King; John Stanley (Juliann) King of La Quinta and their children Ethan, Mason and Owen King; Jeanette King (Michael) Hurwitz of Antioch, Calif.; Ronnie (Lisa) King of Thermal; Bobby (Sylvia) King of La Quinta and their children Danielle, Sammy and Joey King; Terry (Patti) Danchak of Las Vegas, Nev. and their children Dean, Mandy and Tiffany Danchak; Michael Danchak of Indio and his son Michael; Alison (Don) Krasniak of Moreno Valley and their son Nathan Krasniak. Ethel was also tickled that she had four great, great grandchildren. Ethel's family celebrated her life at a graveside service on August 13, 2010 at Palm Springs Memorial Cemetery where her ashes were interred with her beloved husband, John. Donations in her memory can be made to Hospice for Life and the Visiting Nurses Association of the Inland Counties, Palm Desert, 42600 Cook St., Ste. 210 Palm Desert, CA 92211. L-O-V-E

Published in The Desert Sun from August 20 to August 25, 2010