Donna Claire Larkin

Mrs. Larkin, daughter of Lynn and Agnes Griffith, was a native of Omaha, Nebraska, and became a lifelong Army wife in 1952 when she married Richard Xavier Larkin, also of Omaha, upon his graduation from West Point. Richard retired from active duty in 1981 as a Major General and died on August 14, 2010.

Their active duty tours took the family to Nebraska, Colorado, Georgia, California, New York, Kansas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, as well as Germany and the Soviet Union. Mrs. Larkin was tireless in her efforts to support Richard and his career, all while also raising five children. A short stint in Maryland in retirement rounded out their travel resume.

While the Army life was very challenging, their Class of ’52 family provided the backbone for their social life, providing some respite from the demanding—yet interesting--aspects of military careers and developing military and non-military friendships with people from all over the world. Donna’s friends noted that they could sit and talk and laugh for hours about their families and their lives.

Mrs. Larkin was a remarkable woman, with a good sense of humor and an affinity to accurately remember the names of all the people, places and timelines in her life. She dedicated her life to supporting what she cherished most – her Catholic faith, family, friends and the Army.

She was a longtime parishioner of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Fairfax.

She is survived by her five children – Colleen Tuddenham, Richard (Donna O’Bryan), Maureen, Michael, and Mark; six grandchildren – Michael, Jennifer, Scott, Kelly, Laura and Patrick; and five great-grandchildren – Aidan, Blake, Cora, Lena and Heidi.

In consideration of the current public safety protocols because of the COV-19 virus, there will be no immediate public service to commemorate Mrs. Larkin’s life. A Mass of Christian Burial, along with internment in the Arlington National Cemetery will be planned in the near future, with details yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Fisher House Foundation.