Donna Marie Gilmore Donovan

Born in Lima, OH on October 7, 1946, she lived in neighboring cities and towns until her family moved to Upper Arlington, OH in 1960 where she went to St. Agatha Elementary and Upper Arlington High School. She attended Ohio State from which she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree focusing on public education. Her life was filled with a vast range of interests and loves: friends and family, education, art in its myriad forms, animals (especially her kitties Salvador D and Antoni G), word games, gardening, the environment, performing improv, and travel — in particular those vast and hilarious mother-daughter adventures.

Donna was a devoted and tireless educator. She nurtured at various elementary levels. She taught her first two years at Windsor Elementary in the Columbus Public Schools. Her next assignment was perhaps her most special: spending six special years with Erin before returning to the classroom for twenty-eight years in Upper Arlington at Burbank, Barrington, Windermere, and Greensview Elementary Schools at the latter of which she finished as an Elementary Instructional Specialist who facilitated special education and the implementation of the instructional technology program. Of special acclaim, in the early 1970s she began both the girls’ softball and cheerleading programs at Northam Park. Among her fondest and proudest moments were the years she served as the president of the Upper Arlington Education Association assisting, promoting, and fostering her colleagues in this noble profession.

Preceding her in passing were her parents Rosemary and Wilson Gilmore and siblings Leslie (Ron) Carter, Tim Gilmore, and Terry Gilmore, Donna’s parents-in-law Lucy and Leo Donovan, siblings-in-law, Mary Lou Donovan, Sally Pschesang, John Donovan, Rev. Michael Donovan, and Patty (Lee) Kletzly, as well as Donna’s step-father Robert Zicht. Her survivors are Trish Gilmore, her step-siblings Eric (Jennifer) Zicht, Laurie (Chuck) Sargent, Cheryl (Scott) Tate, and Bobby (Karen) Zicht, Paul Pschesang, Michele Donovan, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Former associates and innumerable friends will indeed miss Donna, among whom are her “volleyball” teammates and our very special Limetree Beach Resort family.

We extend our most sincere and most heartfelt gratitude to each of Donna’s caregivers at every stage. We will always remember your care, your caring, and your kindness.

If you wish, please contribute to the Holy Family Church Soup Kitchen, 588 W. Gay St., Columbus OH 43215; the OhioHealth Hospice, 800 McConnell Dr., Columbus OH 43214; or the Cat Welfare Association, 741 Wetmore Rd., Columbus OH 43214.

Her Celebration of Life will be Monday, September 30, 4—7pm, at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Road, 43220. Family services will be private.