Denora Mae Hale DeLaCruz, 53, passed away on Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene, Texas after a long and courageous battle with lung disease. A wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Abilene Funeral Home Chapel of Hope. Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent Pallotti Catholic Church with Father Terry Brenon officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park, directed by Abilene Funeral Home. Dee was born April 8, 1954, in Midland, Texas to Georgie and Dorothy Pauline Medley Hale. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1972, and from Hardin-Simmons University in 1993, receiving a Registered Nurse degree. Dee spent her early years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, moving to Abilene in 1969. She and her family took great joy in running the old Town & Country Drive-In Theatres until their closing. She married Jerry A. DeLaCruz in 1973, and soon began their family. She worked for Hendrick Health System for over 19 years, starting in the Pharmacy department and then as a nurse. Dee received a lung transplant in 2000 in Denver, Colorado and soon returned to be near her family, especially her grandchildren. With their Memaw back, they spent many days reading, coloring and playing whenever the chance arose. Survivors include her husband, Jerry A. DeLaCruz; a son, Gabriel DeLaCruz and wife Mandy; a daughter, Brandy DeLaCruz and husband, Ruben Gomez, all of Abilene; brothers, Andy Hale and wife Sheri of Abilene, and Jimmy Hale of Kerrville, Texas; brothers-in-law, James DeLaCruz and wife, DeAnna and Don DeLaCruz, all of Abilene and Frank Taccetta of Kerrville, Texas; her grandchildren, Ben, Micaela, Jayson, Karlee and Hailie; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dee was preceded in death; by her parents, a brother, Georgie Ray Hale; a sister, Debbie Taccetta; her mother-in-law, Maria Nieves DeLaCruz; and a brother-in-law, Darrell R. DeLaCruz. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to all who cared for our Mother over the years, especially the numerous Respiratory Therapists who held a special place in her heart. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to a favorite charity of organization.