Donna M. Leary
Age 67, of Traverse City, MI, formerly of Lansing, MI, passed away January 16, 2019, after a short illness. She was born on March 22, 1951, in Lansing, MI, to Eva and Ivan Ward.
Donna graduated from Haslett High School in Haslett, MI. In 2015, Donna retired as an underwriter from Auto-Owners Insurance Company after 40+ years of dedicated service. She had been living in Traverse City for many years after transferring there to help start an Auto-Owners branch.
Donna was a member of East Bay Calvary Church in Traverse City. She loved her church and her church family. She sang in the choir, coordinated the greeting committee, helped with the children’s activities and Vacation Bible School, served meals for people in need, and was very involved on the committee for the church’s annual sportsmen’s banquet. She was also a former member of South Church in Lansing.
Donna was also a longtime dedicated volunteer and fundraiser with Fuel FM and WLJN radio stations in Traverse City. She loved her radio family and she talked about them all the time.
She is survived by her children, Robert (Jennifer Felling) Beebe and Karen Sherwood; sister, Linda (Scott) Lomax; special grandchildren she loved so much, Alyssa (fiancé TJ Schnitzhofer) Frisell, Madelyn Beebe, Emily Esch, and Trenton Sherwood; nephew, Corey (Laurie) Lomax; and her many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents, Donna and Dosu Gospodinoff; and other extended family members.
Donna’s family would especially like to thank her friend, Joan, for all of her care, friendship, and help during this time. Thank you to the ICU nursing staff and doctors at Munson Medical Center, where she received excellent care. We are so grateful.
A private family service will be held. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Resource Center, Traverse City; National Arthritis Foundation; or the American Cancer Society.
18 Messages to “Donna M. Leary”
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Debbie S Hentschel
January 19, 2019 at 10:33 amMy husband Bob & I had the honor of getting to know Donna through East Bay Calvary ‘s greeting committee. No matter what, Donna was always there at the door with us and many others every Sunday with a big smile, a hug or a handshake. Making sure that everyone felt a warm welcome as they entered the church doors. As stated in the obituary, she was extremely involved in our church and was loved by many many folks. Her gung-ho attitude will be extremely missed. It is our hope that others would desire to serve the Lord as she did …with love and zeal.
Jim Schleicher
January 19, 2019 at 1:35 pmI am sad to hear of Donna’s passing. I had the pleasure of working with her in the Traverse City Branch at Auto-Owners. Doing the right thing vs the easy way out was in every fiber of her being. It was this quality in her that easily earned my respect. She and I worked many late nights and I miss the conversations we had. She had a passion and understanding of football which added to her being very easy to talk to. I am glad we were friends and am sorry for your loss
Kathy Beasley
January 19, 2019 at 4:49 pmI am so sad to hear of Donna’s passing. She was a wonderful friend of 46 yrs. we worked
To gether at Auto-Owners in the same department and seperate departments
My thoughts & Prayers go out to her family. She will be greatly missed.
Amy Dix
January 19, 2019 at 4:53 pmI had the privilege of knowing Donna through East Bay Calvary Church. She had a desire to serve. If there was an event at church, she was willing to help in any way she could. She will be missed. We are praying for the family.
Angie Ardelean
January 20, 2019 at 8:58 amDonna will missed by so many, here at East Bay Calvary Church. I got the privilege of working side by side with her on the Sportsman’s banquet and many other happenings. She was ALWAYS willing to do whatever she could to help out with whatever needed to be done. Through the pain at times, she’d even do so with a smile. I will miss her very much, but will be thankful that she is no longer hurting. Instead of our choir, I know she’s singing in the choir of angles now. Bless you Donna, my dear friend.
Doris May
January 20, 2019 at 12:04 pmDonna and I worked together for many years from Lansing Branch to Home Office at Auto Owners in Lansing. We were friends and spent many hours together outside of the office.
I am sad to hear of her passiing and Iknow she is in a better place. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Doug Leary
January 20, 2019 at 12:36 pmI was stunned and shocked to hear of Donna’s passing. Donna was a wonderful woman and a really great companion and wife for me. She helped me in so many ways. I will always love Donna truly in my heart. She will be missed by so many. I am deeply saddened. I know that she is with God and I take comfort in that.
Denise Donahue Covell
January 20, 2019 at 5:51 pmWe are so sorry to hear about Donna. We have known her, Linda and her Mom and Dad and grandparents since maybe the fifties. I remember so many good times with her and her family. Playing together and having wonderful meals at their home in Haslett. Donna could always make me laugh. God Bless You and May your Memory be Eternal.
Nadja Miteff Lehman
January 20, 2019 at 6:20 pmI am sad to hear of Donna’s passing. I have fond memories of sharing time with her, her parents, sister and grandparents when they lived by Lake Lansing. Memories I will treasure always. May her memory be eternal.
Ken & Gail Bowman
January 20, 2019 at 7:10 pmWe met Donna at East Bay Calvary Church. She was a faithful member of our church choir & loved to sing. She had a servant’s heart & loved to serve in whatever capacity she could. She was involved in many activities both at the church & at the local Christian radio station. We will miss her, but we will remember the wonderful example of God’s love she showed to everyone around her. Our thoughts & prayers are with Donna’s family.
Margaret McCamant
January 20, 2019 at 7:47 pmA large piece of my childhood included Donna and her family. I’m so sorry to her of her passing! We played together at her grandparent’s home and shared many family celebrations together. We still have roses growing in my father’s garden from cuttings transplanted from Donna’s grandparent’s yard so many years ago by my Bulgarian grandmother. My sincere condolences to her family and a special hug to her sister Linda! May her memory be eternal.
Margaret (Miteff) McCamant
Vanie Brown
January 20, 2019 at 9:33 pmI was so deeply saddened when I heard about Donna. Though I was very young, I have such fond memories of playing at their house, her sister, her parents and grandparents. When I think of her, one thing comes to mind and that is their tap shoes and beautiful garden. My deepest condolences to Donna’s family. May her memory be eternal. Linda, if you see this, a big hug to you.
Vanie Miteff Brown
Cathy Palenkas
January 20, 2019 at 11:24 pmWe knew Donna from East Bay Calvary Church. I got to know her from being in the choir, and working with her on the greeter/info desk. She was always volunteering and helping others. She will be missed!
Marene Hackworth Grand Rapids MI
January 21, 2019 at 9:15 pmSorry to hear about Donna passing away. We worked together at Auto Owners in Lansing. Thoughts & prayers are with her family. She was a great person!
Anne Dickson
January 21, 2019 at 10:00 pmI am so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. I knew her from East Bay Calvary Church. I remember that she was always friendly and easy to talk to, and that she always seemed to have a positive spirit, even in the midst of hardship. She will be missed!
gary weber
January 24, 2019 at 2:38 pmBob,
My condolences to you Jennifer and your family for the loss of your mother.
Please be assured you are all in our prayers.
Sharon Sisler (Seymour)
March 4, 2019 at 11:37 pmThe 1969 graduating class from Haslett High School sends condolences to Donnas family and friends. While planning our 50th Reunion we were made aware of her passing. We would love to hear from a family member and hope that you will contact us.
On behalf of the class God Bless.
Sharon
Floy Nostrant
May 8, 2019 at 1:03 pmJust read of Donna’s passing in the May issue of the MEMO. I worked with Donna at Auto Owners and car pooled with her when she lived in the Haslett area.. My daughter baby sat for Donna’s 2 children when they lived outside of Williamston. My condolences to Bob and Karen her children.