A long-time resident of the Jackson area, died Wednesday the 14th of March, age 85, with loving family by her side. Born April 23, 1933 in Wolford, North Dakota, she was the lone sister among six brothers. The family uprooted from North Dakota and moved to Jackson, Michigan in 1934, and this is where Donna decided to call home. Donna married and had four children of her own. Early on her husband became ill and had four heart attacks before he passed away. During these difficult times Donna became a well-known waitress in the area, working for ten years at Bill Knapps, 28 years for Red Lobster where she earned her nickname "Donna Mamma", a door greeter at Sam's Club for almost six years and finally at the Arbor Woods Assisted Living Center before finally retiring at 83 years of age. She also helped with fresh food Mondays at the First Church of the Nazarene. Every Saturday you could find Donna playing the piano at St. Vincent de Paul on Spring Arbor Road, playing for staff and customers for several years. Donna enjoyed every minute that she could bring joy to someone else. She knew no stranger and was full of love. Because her name Donna means Lady, her daughter lovingly referred to her as Lady Love. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Mabel Arnold; husband, Henry Brusseau; sons Rick Lawton and Hank Brusseau; brothers Marlo Arnold, Leonard "Whitey" Arnold, Gene Arnold, and Delbert Arnold. Survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa (Fred) Abdallah; son, Mark Brusseau; brothers, Darrell Arnold and Dale Arnold; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins, some in the Jackson area and others throughout the US. Per her wishes, cremation has taken place with no formal services planned.
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