Donna Ann (Burton) Jesse, age 102, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2026, surrounded by her family. Her life was dedicated to her family, including her husband Bob, who she was married to for seventy-seven years. Bob preceded her in death on December 18, 2025.
Donna was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on June 10, 1924. She graduated from Central High School where she met her husband. Donna was a “Rosie the Riveter” during the second World War and worked as a supervisor of small motors at night at General Electric. Donna received both an R.N. and B.S. from Indiana University and taught nursing at Home Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana. She was active in the Visiting Nurse of Fort Wayne, acting as the President of the Board of Directors and also volunteered with the Red Cross. Donna was on the Boards of League of Women Voters, YWCA, First Presbyterian Church Women’s Association, and Fort Wayne Artists Guild. She also was PTA President, and President and founder of three P.E.O. chapters. Donna was active in golf at both Orchard Ridge Country Club and Fort Wayne Country Club, winning the ladies 9- hole championship. Donna was an accomplished artist painting in oils, watercolor and acrylics and exhibited in many art shows where she was awarded many prizes.
Donna is survived by her children, Bob, Jr. (Susan), Sandra, and Cheryl (Mikel) Eid; five grandchildren, Kathryn (Ian) Sharer, Gregory (Lindsey) Eid, Amanda (Josh) Zurawski, Alexandra (Patrick) Carter, and Nicolas Carter; and seven great-grandchildren, Meredith, Julia, Cooper, and Beckett Sharer, and Payton and Piper Eid; and baby Zurawski due in September.
Please join the family for Donna’s Celebration of Life at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church Chapel, 300 West Wayne Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A lunch for friends and family will be held at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Donna A. Jesse Endowed Scholarship in Fine Arts-Painting at Purdue University Fort Wayne or Donna A. Jesse Endowed Scholarship in Nursing at Indiana University Fort Wayne.
