Donna Jean Harding

January 18, 1954 – October 4, 2024

Donna Jean Harding passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Wabash Valley Hospice Center in Union Hospital, Terre Haute. She was 70 years old. For the past two years Donna had struggled with serious health issues. She was surrounded by her loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Donna was a Terre Haute North High School graduate, and completed her bachelors and masters degrees at Indiana State University. She served as an elementary teacher in the Southwest Parke Community School Corporation for two years, and the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation for 32 years. She spent nearly 20 years at Fairlawn School, an inner-city school she dearly loved. Donna’s pride was in her school and students, as she shared her passion for learning with thousands of children over the years. She had a gift for working with troubled students. Her colleagues referred to her as “Mother Theresa” for the kindness and understanding she showed all children.

Donna loved to sew, making dresses and gifts for her friends. She enjoyed keeping a wonderful home, opening it to friends and family for holidays. She was a regular at The Dance Studio, enjoying her fellow dancing friends. She spent her spare time crafting. In later life, she traveled the world, taking several cruises to Europe, Canada, Alaska, Bermuda and the Caribbean. She was a life-long learner.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Donna. She enjoyed quiet evenings at home, especially keeping company with her little dogs Barney, B.J., Maggie, Lucy and Ricky, as she was a lover of all animals. She understood the beauty and peace of living a quiet life.

Donna is survived by her husband, Michael; her sisters Diana Zwerner (Bill) and Janet Crowthers (Gene); her sister-in-law Ann Reel, her cousin Julieanne Steele, and many nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents Donald R. Duncan and Phyllis Joan Duncan.

Visitation is set for 1 p.m., Thursday, October 10, 2024 at Roselawn Cemetery in Terre Haute, followed by a service at 2 p.m. Entombment will be conducted in the mausoleum at Roselawn.

Please make donations to the Terre Haute Humane Shelter or to Terre Haute Spay and Neuter.

Fond memories may be made at www.roselawnfuneralhome.net