In the early hours of August 10, we lost our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Alma Frances Woolley Donahue, who was 97. Frances was a believer of God’s love and power, and she lived her life based on Christian values.
Born in McAdoo, Texas in February of 1925 to Johnie and Elsie Woolley, Frances grew up with her older brother, Billie Joe, younger brothers Johnie Monroe (Smokey) and Dickie Ray and younger sister, Mary Lois Woolley Young. The Dust Bowl and Depression made life a thorny challenge in dryland cotton country, and this Woolley family was full of strong and determined individuals known and loved far and wide. Her parents and siblings all died ahead of her, so there must be quite a reunion going on still.
Frances caught the eye of a young Chicago man who came to Lubbock after 6 years in the Navy during WWII. Frank Donahue was going to Texas Tech and met the love of his life. They were married in 1947, raised three children and became grandparents to five. They were a beautiful pair of lovebirds. Frances was a strong anchor for their family.
Her presence can only be described as Gentle Kindness, and she handled heartache and joy with grace. She was passionate about her family – all of her family – and her friends. She had an infectious sense of humor and a deep love for her country.
Frances was generous with her time and shared her good fortune with others. For years, a member of Beta Sigma Phi, she formed an enduring sisterhood with friends and associates. She was active in the American Heart Association, the Boy Scouts, construction business with her husband, the PTA and her children’s school lives. She loved art, theatre, traveling, animals, birdwatching, antiques and crystal, reading, needlework and cooking and recipes (talking about recipes just took her to a different place.) Did we mention her sense of humor? Spontaneous, deep laughter was prompted by her often, usually when we all needed it most. She was never very silly; she was very funny. As she continued to lose her hearing and most of her sight, her humor got her over the rough spots, not just for herself, but for us, too.
Four grandsons and a granddaughter lit her up like a light. Then, 5 great grandsons she got to enjoy and a great granddaughter who came along this May 2022.
Frances loved her nieces and nephews and prayed for them by name on more than one occasion as overheard by her daughter. From the first to the last, they were in her heart, as were their families. Nothing made her happier than a family get together, and to have lost a niece and a nephew was great heartache in her life.
Deep sadness changed her but did not define her. Her son John Michael Donahue died in 1982. Francis Joseph Donahue, her husband, died in 1996. Her son Ronald Scott Donahue died in 2019.
To carry forward her love and kindness: Patricia Schipper, daughter & husband David (Kelly Miller, Jason Schipper;) Grandsons Ryan Donahue & wife Julie (John Martin;) Brandon Donahue & wife Katie (Augustus, Luke, Bradley Kate;) Hayden Huse & partner Kimber (Crockett, Duke;) Thomas Donahue & wife Kayla; Granddaughter Cherri Marie Donahue; cherished niece Gaer Ferrinson, cherished friends Cynthia and Debby Prichard.
We are grateful for the care given to her by loving professionals at CCS Hospice in Stephenville. Donations can be made to American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or a charity close to your heart.
A visitation for Frances will be held Wednesday, August 17, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Resthavens' Abbey Chapel, 5740 19th St., Lubbock, Texas, followed by a funeral service at 1:00 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com for the Donahue family.
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