Sharon Donohue

Lord on Saturday, March 14, at her residence in The Memory

Center of Johns Creek. She was 73. A native Atlantan, Sharon

grew up in simpler times riding horses at The Westminster

Schools and enjoyed summers at High Hampton Inn. She met the

love of her life, Raymond John Donohue, serving punch at the Chi

Phi Fraternity at Georgia Tech. They were married June 12, 1965,

the same day Ray graduated from Tech. After a short stint in New

York City immediately following their wedding, the happy couple

returned to Atlanta and settled into the Buckhead community.

Sharon had a love for Atlanta history and the art and culture that

made it the city it is today. She was a skilled writer and was

invited to write the history of Cherokee Town & Country Club, The

First 40 Years. The endeavor was a wonderful match between her

love for local history and enjoyment of writing. She supported the

Arts as a docent at the High Museum of Art and Director of the

Georgia Art Bus, which mobilized Georgia Artists work bringing it

to schools and communities across the state. A strong supporter

of the Atlanta Humane Society, she and Ray rescued many dogs

and always had two at a time. She extended her love for dogs to

others serving as a Happy Tails volunteer with one of their many

pets, C.J. Not only did Sharon have a heart for rescue dogs, but

she cheerfully gave her time, energy, and support to those in

need by helping with transportation, groceries, and giving a

listening ear. Following retirement, she became a Master

Gardener, which Ray leveraged into a trip to Ireland to study the

sweeping gardens and countryside. The trip merged their

interests perfectly, as Ray is a proud Irishman who decorated

their home with the Donohue crest and expected a call from his

daughters every Saint Patrick’s Day. Adventures closer to home

included long weekends to visit their oldest daughter, Maureen, in

Charleston and the surrounding beaches, always with their

beloved pets in tow. Sharon’s faith blossomed at Church of the

Apostles and continued, drawing back to her Baptist roots, at

Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Sandy Springs. She built lifelong

friendships through the women’s group, exemplifying the lessons

of friendship and commitment taught by her mother. Sharon

adored her three grandchildren, wanting weekly updates on their

activities. She took great joy supporting and encouraging each

and every success, frequently repeating to them “the world is your

oyster.” She will be remembered for her constant encouragement,

gift of mercy, and sense of humor. Immediate survivors include

her husband, Raymond; daughters Erin Marie Donohue and

Maureen Allison Donohue; grandchildren Courtney, Grace and

John Kiersznowski; sister Lucy Dolson Heyerman. Special

acknowledgement is given to Sharon’s caregivers and the

wonderful staff at The Memory Center who cared so well for her in

her final days. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in

Sharon’s name to Samaritan's Purse at samaritanspurse.org or

The Atlanta Humane Society at atlantahumanesociety.org. A

private family burial will take place at Westview Cemetery on April

7, 2020.