Jean Elizabeth Erich, loved retail sales

Jean Elizabeth Erich, 100, passed away Saturday, May 27, 2017, at Cadbury Senior Living, in Lewes. She was born in Sioux City, Iowa, Jan. 25, 1917, daughter of Elizabeth Ebzery Davis and Harry Davis.

Like many in her generation, her life was not easy. Her father died with the United States Expeditionary Force in World War I before she was born, leaving her mother to support her by working in Chicago canneries. When jobs were scarce, she was placed in foster homes. She married young, but her husband, Roy McDonnell, died young, leaving her with two small sons to support. And her younger son, James McDonnell, died in a car accident when he was 18. Through it all, she displayed both grace and fortitude.

In 1947, she married her second husband, John Erich. She lived most of her married life in Chicago and in South Holland, Ill., a Chicago suburb. She was proud of her work during World War II in the bond department of the U.S. Treasury. She also loved working in retail sales for Marshall Fields, the storied Chicago department store, spending time with her family, traveling and gardening. Later in life, she moved to Virginia and then Delaware to be near her daughter.

She is survived by her son, Gerald McDonnell; daughter Janice Erich; grandchildren: Michael McDonnell, Stephen McDonnell and Erica Bardwell; and great-grandchildren: Kaitlin McDonnell, Brian McDonnell, Allison McDonnell, Matthew McDonnell and William McDonnell.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery where she will be interred with her husband.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Please visit Mrs. Erich's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.