Donna opted out of this world on October 25, 2024, at the ripe young age of 96. Born Donna Lola Marlin on September 28, 1928, in Trenton, Missouri, to Paul Marlin and Hazel (McAdams) Marlin, she went on to graduate from Thomas A DeVilbiss High School in Toledo, Ohio. Donna married Anthony Vincent Donofrio in October 1948. Together they welcomed a trio of daughters: Sharon, Toni, and Patricia. Donna and Tony then lovingly tolerated a gaggle of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Donna encouraged these small, loud, rambunctious beings to make their own way in the world - as she did.

A stay-at-home-mom for the most part until 1962, she took a part time job at JCPenney's working in the men's department. Making her way through a corporate structure dominated by men, she climbed the ranks through Penney's catalog department, eventually snagging the coveted manager role at the Richmond, VA, call center. Donna retired in January 1989 at the age of 60, moving south to Sun City Center, FL, with Tony to live on a golf course and perfect her cooking skills (she wasn't Italian, but the woman could make meatballs that were out of this world).

Donna was a riddle wrapped in a mystery wrapped inside an enigma (to borrow a phrase from Winston Churchill, who she could probably drink under the table). She was as ready with a hug as she was with a kick in the rear. She did not suffer fools and rarely "behaved": she was known to pour a cocktail on someone during a rowdy card game, her go-to insult was to call someone "a horse's ass," she did a keg stand in her early 70s, and mooned her family to win a game of charades. She showed her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren what was possible for a woman in this world. Her legacy will be the generations of charismatic and driven progeny that are blessed to be part of her lineage.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Tony, her sister Rose Marlin Estell and a number of beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law. She is survived by her daughters: Sharon Donofrio (Russ Palka), Toni Frankhouse (Dan), and Patricia Rose (Deb Swan); grandchildren Bob Donofrio (Tracy), Shaina Sine (Matt Neistein), Kelly Hollabaugh (Bryan), Stacie Rains (Michael Sharp), Dani Monday, Tiffany Rice (James), Acacia Romero (Omar), and Michelle Rose (Aaron Brown); great grandchildren Jack Rains (Bry Russell), Julia Rains, Keoni Rice (Reece), Ariana Powers (Cayden), Aurora Rice, Acacia Rice (Drew Meyer), Brian Hollabaugh, Blake Monday, Owen Neistein, Mia Donofrio, Anthony Donofrio, Michael Rose, Alina Rice, and Amarya Rice.

She is desperately missed, but she is celebrated even more so.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Lifepath Hospice.







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