Donna Marie Hovey McGee

Donna Marie Hovey was born on November 1, 1919 in Hart, Michigan to Henry and Florence (Kinsman) Hovey, parents of Welsh-Gaelic heritage. She had two brothers—Glen and Manuel. Her family were farmers. She attended May School, a rural grade school, and graduated in 1938 from Hart High School. In the class commemorative, she willed her “exceedingly quiet disposition…” and was in jest awarded a “red ribbon as she is generally seen and not heard.” Donna graduated in 1941 from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, earning her LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) certification. She is described in this graduation booklet as “demure, dignified, distant…” and that she likes “dreaming” most, disliked “hustling” and loved to read! She is also reported as once coming up the hospital steps “arm in arm with fellow student Miss Edith Davis singing, “It’s four o’clock in the morning and we’ve danced the whole night through!”

Donna married (later divorced) James Curtiss in 1940 and had a son LeRoy in 1942 who passed away in 1975. She married Carl McGee in 1947 and had a daughter Linda in 1952. The family lived for a while in Wisconsin, then moved to Florida in 1955. Donna worked at St Anthony’s Hospital. St. Petersburg for 24 years, mostly on 2nd floor southeast with eye surgery patients. She retired from St. Anthony’s and worked at the Lodge at Mainlands from 1990-1997. Donna McGee attended Baptist churches including Fatith Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, FL. She was a caring mom, ever-helping grandma and great grandmother. A person of practical faith, unselfish and hard-working. She was a loving support and presence in the lives of her family, friends and pets. Donna had a quick laugh and gentle wit. Donna was called to her reward in Heaven on March 17, 2014.

In addition to her husband, Carl W. McGee, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Manuel and Glen Hovey. Survivors include a daughter, Linda Barrett, and a grandson, Ernest Barrett, Jr.

Visitation held Tuesday, March 25, 2014 from 11:00am until service time at 1:00pm at Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home with interment following at Memorial Park Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL.

In lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Faith Baptist Church, 4017 56th Ave. No. St. Petersburg, FL 33714 or the S.P.C.A.

Funeral arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st St. Seminole, FL 33776 / 727-391-0121