Donna Louise O'Connor

She was born on November 12, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to Gordon and Dorothy Saunders. Donna loved her family dearly. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for them. She was a loving wife, a mother of seven, a grandmother to 10 grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to nine great-grandchildren.

Raised in Detroit, Michigan, Donna adored her parents and her late brother, Bill. She often shared stories of their cherished memories as a family, along with those of her dear cousins and lifelong friends.

When she was young, Donna worked for her father at Koffman Furniture Company in Detroit. In 1969, she moved to Cheboygan, Michigan. She later worked at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital as a nurse’s aide, as a waitress, and as a study hall monitor at Cheboygan High School. It was at Cheboygan Memorial Hospital that she met her late husband, Leo O’Connor. Together, their blended families became one big, loud, but loving crew that kept her VERY busy. From baseballs breaking church windows to family deer camp, their children truly were her everything. Oh, the stories she could tell!

Donna wasn’t afraid to join in on the fun. She loved hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling, and she never missed an opportunity to go shopping. Donna was an amazing cook and loved baking; her famous meatballs and Christmas cookies will never be forgotten.

Donna called Naples, Florida, home for 24 years when she and Leo moved down there in 1999. She loved the warm weather and being surrounded by her children, Kathy and Bruce, and her grandchildren. Donna lived with Kathy for 21 years and was always so grateful for their care.

While she enjoyed sports, there wasn’t one she loved more than football. Whether she was watching her sons and grandsons play or cheering on the Detroit Lions, you could always count on Donna to be there—cheering loudly and sharing her thoughts.

She spent 20 years traveling back to Michigan every fall to cheer on her son, Charlie, as he coached the Haslett Vikings. She devoted so much of her time to those players and coaches, cooking nonstop at football camp whenever she could, taking stats, and giving pep talks outside the locker room to all who would listen. She simply loved the game.

Donna loved visiting her son, Gordon, in Hawaii. She enjoyed the visits from her sons, Cliff and Leo, from Wisconsin. In the final years of her life, her daughter, Shannon, selflessly cared for and looked after her back in Michigan.

She will always be known for her spunky attitude, her big hugs, and a laugh that filled everyone around her with happiness. Her warmth and love reached countless people over the years. Her stories were endless, and her funny one-line sayings will live on always. Donna now rests peacefully in the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, reunited with those who went before her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Dorothy Saunders; her brother, Bill Saunders; and her husband, Leo O’Connor. Donna is survived by her children: Kathy (Terry) Miller, Gordon (Rodi) Otlewski, Bruce Otlewski, Leo O’Connor, Charlie (Wendy) Otlewski, Cliff O’Connor, and Shannon O’Connor; her 10 grandchildren: Michael, Kristin, Blaine, Hunter, Breyanna, Mariah, Tanner, Nathan, Christopher and Joslyn; her nine great-grandchildren; and her dear friends, Leo and Janet Chamberlain.

Donations in her memory may be made to Ronald McDonald House of Detroit, https://rmhc-detroit.org/

A small family service will be held in Naples, Florida, followed by a memorial burial service at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cheboygan, Michigan, this spring.