Sally Jean Donegan passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 10, 2018 surrounded by James Henry Donegan, her devoted husband of 66 years, and her children.
Sally was born in Youngstown, Ohio to Ella Marie Nelson McCreery and Robert J. McCreery. She attended Youngstown State University where she was a member of Alpha Iota Sorority, Newman Club, and was elected Newman Club Mardi Gras Queen. In 1948, she met her future husband, James Donegan, in English class and soon fell in love. They married on June 14, 1952 and moved to North Syracuse, New York where James started his engineering career with General Electric. Their children include Michael Donegan (deceased April 1, 1953), Mary Ann (Tim) Donegan, David (Ilda) Donegan, Carolyn (Kim) Klindworth, Diane Donegan, Kathleen (Richard) Amneus, Maureen (Brad) Abley, Nancy (Daniel) Stebbins. Sally’s beloved grandchildren include Megan Amneus, Deanna (Amneus) Kuhlman, James Donegan, and Andrew Donegan.
In 1967 the family moved to Cupertino, California, enabling Jim to pursue a career in electrical engineering in the Silicon Valley, where they joined St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish. Together Sally and Jim enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, world travel, gardening and driving their treasured 1931 Ford Model A and their 20-year membership in the SCVC Model A Club of San Jose. Sally was also a gifted artist, a talent she passed on to many of her daughters. After retirement, Jim and Sally moved to Almaden Valley for a quiet lifestyle with views of the mountains and joined Holy Spirit Church of Almaden.
In 2015, they entered Carlton Senior Living together where Jim continues to reside. The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the entire staff for their care of both our parents.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 21 at 6:00 pm, Rosary at 7:00 pm at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel 710 Willow Street, San Jose, CA. Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, August 22 at 11:00 am at Holy Spirit Parish 1200 Redmond Avenue, San Jose. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall from 12 noon to 2:00 pm. Committal burial service will be held on Thursday, August 23 at 11:00 am Gate of Heaven Cemetery 22555 Cristo Rey Drive, Los Altos.
Condolence cards may be mailed to Jim Donegan, 380 Branham Lane #213, San Jose, CA 95136.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Sally's honor to the Alzheimer’s Association directly to her tribute page at this http://act.alz.org/goto/sallydonegan or via mail to Alzheimer’s Association, National Headquarters, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
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