Donna J. Kirkwood

Donna J. Kirkwood, 95, of Milford, Pennsylvania, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Bentley Assisted Living in Branchville, New Jersey. Donna lived a life marked by a deep love for family, steady devotion to others and quiet purpose.

Donna was born on August 20, 1930, in Chillicothe, OH to the late, Ernest Dwight and Bessie Marie (Atwood) Rinehart. Donna grew up in Chillicothe, Ohio before settling in Columbus, Ohio. She moved to Pennsylvania in 2016. Throughout her working years, Donna served with diligence and care as the Head Secretary and Assistant to the Principal at Southeast School and Northeast School for the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities, a role that reflected her deep respect for learning and the dignity of every individual. She was a teacher and student favorite who was considered highly competent and could be trusted and relied upon.

Family, faith and fellowship remained central in Donna’s life. She was a longtime member of Brookside Baptist Church in Chillicothe, where her presence was a constant and valued part of the community. She also found joy in friendship and shared traditions through the Red Hat Society. She loved music and was a talented organist and vocalist. She loved her ‘books on tape’ and enjoyed watching Jeopardy. She loved baseball and attended an immeasurable number of games throughout her life including little league, middle and high school, the Columbus Clippers and she especially loved the Cincinnati Reds. She knew how to keep an ‘official scorebook’ and often did this in her lap during the games.

She was married to her high school sweetheart and dear husband, Kent for 63 years. Together they volunteered as election poll workers and loved their family completely and fully, supporting them throughout their entire lives. She was affectionately known as “G-ma” by many, and this term of endearment lives forever in our hearts. Hers was a life well lived. We love you forever, G-ma.

The beloved wife to the late, Kent Shafer Kirkwood, Donna is survived by her sons, Jeffrey Todd Kirkwood and his wife, Debbie Seward. Craig Alan Kirkwood and his wife, Regina Elizabeth Kirkwood; her granddaughters, Rachael Elizabeth Marcolina and her husband, Eric Marcolina, Sybil Kirkwood Fraustino and her husband, Dan Fraustino and her great-grandchildren, Grace Elizabeth Marcolina, Samantha Rose Marcolina, Roxanne Marie Marcolina and Kirk (Kirkwood) Victor Fraustino.

All services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.