Cecilia Kotula Donegan

Cecilia Kotula Donegan died peacefully, July 13, 2011. Cecilia was born February 9, 1911 in San Antonio, Texas to the late Edward Kotula and Carolina Meyer Kotula. Her husband of 39 years, DeWitt Donegan, her sisters and brother, her nieces, Cherie Franks Carver and Helen Ruth Muzzazym preceded her in death.

Ceil worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for 35 years. After her retirement, she remained active with her many telephone friends, especially “The Lunch Bunch Group”. She was a wonderful gifted artist. As a child she simply walked in one day and showed her Mother something she had painted. Her Mother was quite pleased and surprised by her work. “My Mother, who had a very good eye for art, was always my best critic and always inspired me to be better. One year during the 1950’s, Ceil and her sister went to a River Art Show. There Ceil met a china painting artist and began working in that medium. She taught china painting for many years. For two years she was recognized at the State Capitol for “Art for the Ageless” by the Texas State Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. She was a lifetime member of the River City Art Guild and served as President of the La Villita Porcelain Art Guild.

She is survived by her nieces, Charlynn Franks Doering and husband Danny, Kristi Gabel and her husband Mike, Austin, Texas. Carolyn Godwin and husband Ed, Marietta, Ga. She is also survived by her nephew, Eddy Handley and his wife, JoAnn of Spring, Texas as well as a number of great nieces and nephews.

For the past ten years Ceil has lived at the Incarnate Word Retirement Center. The family is grateful for the care she received during her time there. Special thanks to Adelfa Arriaga for her tender and loving care of Cecilia. Mass for Cecilia will be celebrated Wednesday, July 20th at 11:00 am in St. Joseph’s Chapel at The Village at Incarnate Word.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Sisters of the Divine Providence at Our Lady of the Lake Convent on 24th Street in San Antonio, Texas, 78207 or The Village at Incarnate Word Retirement Center, 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209.