Donna Donnelly

Donna Marie Donnnelly (Thayer) Donna was born June 4th 1953 in Grafton WV. She was the youngest of five siblings. Darlene, David (Bud), Elaine, John and Donna grew up as best friends. When my Mother was still young the family moved north to Pennsylvania. Her father Brooks found work in the steel industry and her mother Florence was employed with the school district. At first they rented an old farmhouse. Before many years had passed Brooks had purchased land from a friend and built the family a new home with his own hands. The house still stands today in Beaver Falls. Both places were the center of many wonderful stories from that bygone era. Over the years I have been privileged to hear many tales of her childhood. She grew up exploring the woods, eating wild food, catching fireflies and riding in the back of her fathers pickup truck with her dog MIckey as a regular companion. After graduating High school she took to exploring the rest of the country. I don't think there were very many places she hadn't at least been through if not resided for a period of time. Her travels had taken her from the shores of the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. In August 1985 I was born in Ogden Utah at st Benedict's Hospital. Not long afterwards Donna returned to her childhood home in western Pennsylvania to attend to her father in his final years. After his passing Donna moved to the small tourist town of Moab Utah. During her time there she would be accompanied by her mother Florence, nephews Mark and Joseph, and her childhood friend Vera. Over the years there she built a life and purchased a home during the early days of the tourist town. Some of my best memories were made exploring ancient ruins of the southwest situated in an even older landscape of canyons, mesas, and arches. The Colorado River sculpting the epic landscape a single millimeter at a time. In 1991 She married my father (Goodwin Donnelly) at the baptist church near our house and shortly after moved a world away from the desert to western Washington amongst the tall evergreen trees. I remember her helping me with school, keeping the house warm with the wood stove, and always the best dinners on the table. She was never too busy to spend time exploring the rivers and mountain side roads. My first time driving was in her GMC pickup near the base of Mt Rainier. About 1999 our family moved from that mountain range back to northern Utah and settled in rural Brigham City near the Bear River. Donna would eventually find employment with Autolive and stay with the company until retirement. The last of a very long and varied list of occupations she had held over the years. Donna passed away at 10:44 am on August 9th at Ogden Regional. She was undaunted and composed till the very end. From my first memory of my mother all the way through until the last I will be forever grateful for her caring and selfless nature. She always made sure every holiday was special and helped me with many challenges throughout my life. I wouldn't trade her for any other mother in the world and I'm thankful for every last moment. We invite you to share your memories of Donna and upload photos to her memorial page. In doing so, we can keep the light of her vibrant spirit burning brightly, celebrating the incredible woman that she was. Donna's life was a testament to the power of love, laughter, and the joy of being together. Let us honor her by remembering all the moments of joy she brought into our lives.