Donna Quinnan
June 29, 1931 - October 23, 2013
Obituary
QUINNAN, Donna J., 82, born, June 29, 1931 passed away Wednesday, October 23, at Saint Mary's Hospital. She was the beloved wife of William A. Quinnan, cherished mother of Martin (Mary McLoughlin) Quinnan, Loretta (Ed) Wilson, Brian (Sue Kern) Quinnan, Tom Quinnan, Mike (Sandy Churchfield) Quinnan, Jim Quinnan, Martha (Tom) Farrington, David Quinnan, and Billy Quinnan; dearly loved grandmother of Jason (Catie DeLaverne) Quinnan, Jayme Spear, Casey (Brenda Solak) Quinnan, Shay Quinnan, Ellen (Gary) Witkowski, Emily (Jason) Haas, Tommy Quinnan, Joe Farrington, Claire Farrington and Sam Farrington; treasured great-grandmother to eight; much-loved aunt to many Carpenter and Quinnan nieces and nephews throughout the country, and best friend since high school with the dearly loved and recently deceased Barb Wilson. Donna was the younger daughter of Waldo and Helen Neumann. Her sister, Lois Simons predeceased her. Quiet and unassuming, Donna managed to touch and enrich the lives of all who knew her. She lived her entire life in Saginaw, graduated from Saginaw High School and married her one, true love, Bill, and shared 63 years of love, friendship, support and joy. Donna spent the first 13 years of marriage bearing nine children and the next several decades raising them and creating a homestead where they and, their spouses or friends, and in time their grandchildren spent countless holidays, birthdays, Mother's Days and other days. Blessed with a keen intellect and inquisitive nature, Donna never stopped learning and was a constant source of interesting, illuminating conversations. Throughout her life she met scores of people who were touched by her warmth and called her friend. True to her nature, she left this world quietly, peacefully, and far too quickly. She was, to all, a person of infinite kindness and generosity. From her we witnessed true, unconditional love. May her dear, sweet soul rest in eternal peace and may perpetual light shine upon her. FUNERAL: A Funeral Liturgy will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Ave. Rev. Fr. John R. Johnson and Rev. Fr. Andy Booms will officiate. Rite of Committal will take place at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter (off State) on Friday, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Donna will lie in state at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a memorial gift to the National Humane Society be considered: 40 E. Main St. #364-1, Newark DE, 19711. Please share your thoughts and memories with Donna's family at the funeral home or online at www.deislerfuneralhome.com.
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Memories
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Judy and Steve LeBelle
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My memory of Donna...
I did not know Donna very long but am so thankful God gave me to opportunity to meet Donna. What a wonderful lady she was. I know we haven't seen her for a while now but I do feel in my heart we were friends. Donna I am so glad that you are in heaven with Jesus, and your sister Lois. We will see each other again.
Lord I thank-you for taking good care of Donna. She is a special lady. I know she is not in any pain and that you gave her your hand and told her to come on home. May you comfort the family as they mourn their loss. Give them comfort, peace and strength as they go on. Let them know that you are their Savior. Let them know when it is their time to go home that there will be no more sunsets or dawning, Only joy and happiness. This I ask in your mighty name! Jesus! AMEN!
Judy and Steve LaBelle
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Deborah Pinkerton
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Dear Bill & Family; I am so sorry for your loss. Donna was a wonderful, kind, caring person and will be greatly missed;
Sincerely, Debbie
SR
Sister Honora Remes
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Donna was one of the most beautiful human beings I've been blessed to call friend. Her gentle demeanor could lead you astray, for along with that extraordinary kindness lay a sense of justice and right purpose that was as keen as a sterling steel blade. One look at her and you saw what C.S. Lewis calls "a redeemed face." Her faithful marriage to her amazing Bill; her courage and ingenious generosity in rearing her loved children; her loyal friendships over many years; and her unswerving, "thick 'n thin" devotion to St. Mary Cathedral parish --all is simply the stuff of holiness.
To know Donna is to understand that closeness to God is not some ethereal encounter that removes a person from the patient, daily grind; the common joys of laughter and good food; the hidden heartbreaks of loss that mature the soul. She was a perennial that flowered quietly in every season.
She was a caring spouse, a gentle mother who understood the uniqueness of each of her kids, the Cathedral 's utterly reliable bookkeeper, and a great, even spur-of-the- moment party-thrower. Because of her hospitality, both the Quinnan's living room and back yard often rocked!
Without faith, Donna's death would feel like crushing loss--even with strong faith, her passing is tough to absorb. But good deeds go before us into God's Kingdom, Holy Scripture assures us. Donna's life unfolds like a glorious red carpet ushering her into Eternal Joy. Her memory is a blessing and a lasting light to follow in her steps.
Thank you, Donna, for your love, and thank you, Quinnans, for sharing her with us all.
Sister Honora Remes
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Anonymous
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Yellow & White Large Sympathy Vase Arrangement was purchased for the family of Donna J. Quinnan.
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Mike
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One of the most beautiful human beings ever to grace this earth!! RIP Mom
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Anonymous
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Simply Lily was purchased for the family of Donna J. Quinnan.