Donna Marie Zeitz

Donna Marie (Johnson) Zeitz passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2022. She was blessed with love and care over the last eight months by her daughter Amy, son-in-law Steve, and their three furry companions. Donna is survived by her children, Kathy Vescio (Bryan), Amy Zeitz (Steven Dunbar) and Jonathan Zeitz (Jill); grandchildren Nathan and Owen Vescio; Luke and Ben Zeitz; and bonus grandchildren Grant and Joseph Dunbar. Donna made a lasting impact on many other family members, friends, and co-workers. Donna was preceded in death by her former husband, Howard Zeitz.

Donna was born and raised in Chicago, IL. When she was a child, more than anything, Donna wanted to be a nurse when she grew up. After high school, Donna went on to receive nursing degrees from North Park College and the University of Illinois at Chicago. She worked at several Chicago area hospitals throughout her career providing love and care to patients in all stages of life while working in Labor and Delivery, Pediatric, and Bone Marrow Transplant Units. Donna was passionate about her chosen career until the day she retired.

Donna’s other greatest joy in life was being a mother and a grandmother. Donna loved spending time with her family. Whether it was as a cheerleader at sporting events, an audience member at concerts, or a companion at the dinner table, Donna was always there with unconditional love and generous support for her kids and grandkids.

After retirement, when not spending time with family, Donna enjoyed reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, and traveling.

If you had met Donna in the last 20 years you would never have known she was undergoing treatment for two life-limiting diagnoses. She lived every day to its greatest potential. She never complained, and she maintained her optimistic disposition throughout her illness. Her last full day of life was spent cheering at a triathalon, taking in a movie, eating out for dinner, and finishing the puzzle the family had been working to complete.

Donna always had a love of nature, and she enjoyed frequent family vacations to her most loved place to celebrate nature’s beauty, Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Many of her favorite memories were made among the aspen trees. Pool time, hiking (in her younger years), going to nice dinners and enjoying the smiles and stories of her loved ones brought her much joy. It is for this reason Donna has requested her final resting place be in the breathtaking beauty of Fish Creek Falls in Steamboat Springs.

Donna will be dearly missed and forever cherished by all those she leaves behind.

A celebration of life is being planned and will take place in the next couple months in the Chicagoland area.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome to A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation or to Yola’s Pet Rescue in Donna’s memory.