Jaclyn "Denise" (Whitaker) MacDonald

Denise was born in DeLand, Florida at Fish Memorial Hospital on September 15th 1956. She has called the DeLand area home for the majority of her life. She is survived by her husband John MacDonald and her mother Iris Whitaker. Denise was preceded in death by her father, Jack who went to live with the Lord in 2014. She is also survived by her sisters Kathy Whitaker, Connie (Jimmy) Ashcraft and her special sissy Karen Hathaway. Denise is also survived by her brother Jeff (Brooke) Whitaker and brother-in-law Glen (Jacqueline) MacDonald.

Denise's extended family include six nieces, Jennifer (Andrew) Wood, Amanda Kay Lawton, Candice (Josh) Hazel, Ashley (Jon) Montgomery, Mya Cloud and HannahWhitaker and six nephews that include: Steven Doggart, Craig (Kristen and children) Caldwell, William “Mac” MacDonald, Dane (Pamela) MacDonald, Aaron (Shian) Whitaker and Kyle Whitaker. Denise has three great nieces: Lauren Kelly, Madison Valle and Leah Doggart and four great nephews Landon Caldwell, Brandon Hazel, Jonah Montgomery and Bryson Hazel.

Denise also had the great joy of still having her aunts and uncles: Bernice Morey, Nathan Brooks, Deanie (Bill) Miles, Wynelle Burt and Latrelle (Bud) Ratliff, along with numerous cousins of all generations.

Denise graduated from Seminole State College as a paralegal and had a decades long career that she excelled in. She worked for reputable law firms here in Central Florida including Wright, Fulford, Moorhead and Brown, Altamonte Springs, Chobee Ebbets, Daytona Beach, as well as Paul & Elkind, James Zimmerman & Paul and finally at Meeks & Ceely, all in the DeLand area.

Last but certainly not least Denise’s unwavering faith and devotion was a pillar in her beloved church family at the Dayspring Community Church where she was an active and dedicated member. Whether she was feeding the less fortunate, running the sound system or cleaning the sides of a road, Denise was the person to handle the task. Denise always had a warm smile, a tight hug and a welcoming spirit for everyone she met. Her playful antics and infectious laughter will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, followed by a memorial service beginning at 3:00 PM at Allen-Summerhill Memorial Chapel, located at 126 E. New York Ave., DeLand, FL 32720. A reception will follow the service at Dayspring Community Church, 902 S. Spring Garden Ave., DeLand, FL 32720.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Denise’s memory to Halifax Humane Society, Journey’s End Animal Sanctuary, or a charity of your choice supporting animal welfare.

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