July 8, 1924 – Sept. 14, 2010

Donna Donahue passed into eternal life Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. She was 86.

Donna was born July 8, 1924, in Nora Springs, Iowa, to Kenneth and Ettah Clifford.

She was preceded in death by brother, Duane; sister, Alberta; and by her beloved husband, Richard. She is survived by her sister, Colleen. Donna’s family moved to Glen Flora, where she graduated from high school. With help from her sister, Colleen, Donna was chosen carnival queen of her high school during her senior year.

Donna moved to Milwaukee after high school to look for work. She worked in a number of places, including the dry cleaning business, Amron and Pennys. It was as a waitress, however, where she met her future husband. Donna’s love story with Richard Donahue began when he strolled into the restaurant for some food. They quickly fell in love and were married in Glen Flora on April 6, 1946. For 64 years, the two were inseparable. Whether it be at a family function or out to get a bite to eat, they were probably holding hands.

Donna was an excellent cook and baker who liked nothing more than to cook a big dinner for the family. For many years, she baked an angel food cake for each child or grandchild’s birthday. She enjoyed bowling and card games with family or friends. She loved to watch birds and collected all things "cardinal."

Above all else, however, Donna loved her family. She was a matriarch in the truest sense of the word – always looking over her family and scolding or reassuring where appropriate. She loved being surrounded by her family and would let you know if you had been away too long.

She is survived by her sons, Kenneth (Roseann), Tim (Kris) and Scott (Sheri) Donahue, and her daughters, Janice Cardinal (Donald) and Cheryl Ybarra. She will be dearly missed by her 11 beloved grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The family is comforted by the fact that after five months of separation, Donna is surely holding husband Richard’s hand once again.

A memorial gathering will be held from 1 p.m. until the 3 p.m. celebration of life Saturday, Sept. 25, at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, 380 W. Bluemound Road (at highways J and JJ, four blocks south of Interstate 94), Waukesha.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family.

Church and Chapel Funeral Home is serving the family. For more information, call 549-0659 or visit www.churchandchapel.com to view the online obituary, leave condolences or receive directions.