Donna Jean Elles

Donna Jean "Donna Jean Elles" Elles, age 74 of Sterling Heights and formerly of Warren, died Sunday, November 07, 2010. Donna Jean was born November 05, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan the daughter of the late Wilfred Elles and the late Elizabeth (nee: Sollars) Elles. Donna Jean was raised in Detroit and graduated from Our Lady of Sorrows Grade School. She later aspired to become a Catholic Nun, however due to a health condition she was not able to achieve this goal. DonnaJean was an extremely devout Catholic. It has been said by numerous family members that "she was the closest thing to being a nun but without the habit". She lived out her life as if she had taken a nun's vows. That is what made her happy. Her devotion to her faith and spirituality were inspiring and unfailing. Even in her illness she reminded all of her doctors and her younger sisters regularly that "God will take care of me" and "God will never give me more of a burden than I can bear" Through her life's journey and many disappointments her faith never waivered. She truly lived out the apostle Paul's words "I have run the race, I have finished the course" Donna Jean worked for most of her life as a custodian at various jobs including Helin Tackle, Cold Heading, and Ajax Bolt & Screw. In her younger years she worked for the J.L. Hudson Department Store in jewlry repair, for Coco-cola as a mail girl, at Cunningham's Drugstore candy counter, at Reisman's Drugstore as a clerk, and at Helin Tackle Company as a mailgirl. While in employment at Helin Tackle company she was nominated and became Ms. Flatfish. Further jobs included LeFleurs Market as a cash register clerk, and later DonnaJean went to Oak Park Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois to join the SISTERS OF MISERICORDE a hospital order of nuns. When Donna Jean was not working her faith and church were paramount in her life. Much of her time was spent at Mass or daily devotions. She was fiercely independent and always lived alone. Her time for peaceful thought was spent walking Donna Jean was an avid walker, walking up to six miles a day. Other enjoyments were shopping (especially garage sales and dollar stores, sipping coffee and eating bagels, she also liked working in her yard, and always had a cat or dog or both. Some of her cherished pets were named Bonehead, Cocoa, Sleepytime, and lastly Misty. If you were a lonely animal you had a friend in DonnaJean. She even fed the birds. Visitation for Donna Jean will be Thursday from 4-9 pm, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 1/2 Mile Road). Ms. Elles will lie in state Friday 9:00am at St. Blas Catholic Church until the time of the Funeral Mass at 9:30 am. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Rev. Fr. Randall Phillips. Memorial donations appreciated to the Capuchin Fathers, 1820 Mt. Elliot, Detroit, MI 48207. Please share memories of Donna Jean at her guest book.