May 29, 2023

Thinking of my life-long friend Donna and especially today. She will always be remembered by many friends and loved ones for her loyal friendship and fun-loving personality.  Donna was truly a gift from God on loan to us all helping us to positively encourage others as we all travel through this life.
Yes Donna is dearly missed.
Diane Eisenhauer 

To all Donna’s Loving Family,
It has been such a privilege and joy knowing  Donna in my life and to have had a blessed friendship with her.  Donna was private in many ways. but shared so much personally with those she trusted. Here’s a touching story she shared with me in the past. 
Donna was riding bikes at the lake with her granddaughter - of course  one of Patrick and Emily’s girls. An aggressive dog began to give the girls a chase. Donna called out, “just keep pedaling “.  Afterwards her granddaughter said, “I could feel the dog’s breath on my leg.” What a loving thought of Donna as a shield of hope during her granddaughter’s moments of fear and stress.  I’m reminded of that story today as I remember my dear friend in whom  I’ve been truly blessed to know.  I often think of her smiling face as she would giggle so when she was filled with joy of something happening.  What a dear true friend she has been to me.
Love to all,
Diane ❤️💕

This is a day to especially remember my great friend Donna, but of course it’s not the only day. I still think of her often - in fact, many times throughout the year.  When Donna comes to mind, I always picture her as to what she would be doing-always being active in the things she loved to do with family and friends.  Also, I see her smiling, laughing, poking fun at herself and of course spending a lot of quiet time reading.  How I miss my dear friend Donna. 
Especially today my thoughts go out to  you Jay and all of your family. 
Love,
Diane

May 29, 2020  - A pastor at a memorial service I recently attended spoke of how we need to continue to share our stories, happy or sad, with the family that lost their loved one and how important is to stay connected in that way.  That was a moment of understanding for me.  Some of the following memories I shared last year, but they're still precious to share again.
In remembering the earlier years of our friendship, it was filled with carefree fun and laughter.  Donna was always good-natured and just had a good spirit.  She had a serious side as well and was aptly  prepared to handle whatever came her way.  I was continuously encouraged by our friendship.  High school-cheerleading with Donna and the girls was such a great time spent together.  College days got a little more serious, but we shared many memorable as well as  laughable times. Then later in life there were trips together with other mutual friends whose connection went all the way back to grade school.  Donna made great contributions to keeping us gals connected in our lasting friendships.  
What a lifelong friend from 6 years old to 76.... and I'ld also like to know, "where did she gain all of her listening skills???"  Was it somehow connected  to all the books she read?  I did check in with her from time to time on what to read......never was disappointed in her recommendations.  She just knew what I would enjoy........unreal!
 Just couldn't ask for a better solid friendship and I'm so happy to have the privilege of knowing Donna .  

How does one express in a few meaningful words the joy that  a life-long friend has brought?  My friendship with Donna started over seventy years ago in the first grade at Mt. Vernon grade school.  Through 16 years of education together and far beyond Donna has been a true faithful friend and one that always lit up the space around her with her positive-friendly personality. Even though in our more mature adult years we lived a long distance from each other our established friendship never seem to suffer. The times we could get together were full of reminiscing of the good times spent in the past and making even more special  memories. Her trustworthiness was proven over and over through the years and that is hard to find.   Donna knew how to have wholesome fun and could laugh at so much of life as it happened.  She always seemed to take life as it came even when things didn't necessarily come together as one would hope.  She could just press onward.

There were trips out to my area in California and also to New York City with mutual friends that afforded so much joy - many many laughs.  This group of women had been in each others lives  from grade school through college. 

Donna was there with a word or hug when you needed encouraging as well.  In certain times she could be a friend that you could meet in mind without saying much at all.  In the later years we did enjoy some texting with  just a few words every now and then, but messages were understood and they kept us going.

I do remember when times were fewer that we got together Donna once said something like this to me, "Well I want to see you again, but if not I'll see you in heaven.   Now, how sweet are those words! 

It is so hard to part with a dear friend like Donna, but I look forward to seeing her again and she too will always be in my heart.

A Loving Friend,
Diane








Throughout life I’ve had many wonderful friends, each of them leaving memories in my heart.  And Donna certainly has too, and has played a major role in my adult life for over 50 years. She was my BFF or best friend forever, (Facebook jargon if you like that sort of thing).  I so miss sharing life together!

I love remembering the multitude of “giggle fits” and belly laughs we’ve  shared over the years. No matter the place or situation, we always found something to laugh about hysterically - something only “heart friends “ can do.

Jon and I both loved spending time at the lake just doing life together with Donna and John. 
And Donna’s  annual two week visit to Florida was always a high point of my year. We ate lots of seafood, shopped at Bealls, and took long walks every day.  Our trips together provided tons of beautiful, funny memories as we traveled to Caribbean islands, Peru, the Amazon, Egypt, Jordan and Petra and Upper Michigan.

I miss you terribly,  my dear friend,  but will keep you always in my heart.  

Love,
Betsy



My prayers and deepest condolences to the family of Donna L. Ludgate....I had the pleasure of meeting Donna ten years ago and most recently spent a few minutes with Donna..an absolute gracious lady with an infectious smile that could light a room up. ..May the Lord bless Donna and her entire family🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

OBITUARY

Donna L. Ludgate

29 August, 1942 – 29 May, 2019

Beams Funeral Home

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