Donna Ellen Kimbrew

1949 - 2025

Donna Ellen Kimbrew, 75, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born on November 25, 1949, at home, to the late Lester and Christine VanGilder in Fairmont, WV. 

Growing up she was the third of six children. Her own experiences taught her the value of kindness, gentleness and unwavering love. After graduating from Fairmont Senior High School in 1967, her family moved to New Jersey, and she remained in Fairmont to pursue her dreams. While attending Fairmont State College she met the love of her life, Paul. Donna’s resilience and hard work led her to be the first one in her family to achieve a college degree. For thirty years, she was a dedicated educator at both University and Morgantown High Schools. Her kindness and grace were evident in the way she cared for students and her family. As a mother, she poured her heart into raising her daughters, showing them the power of kindness, patience, and compassion. Her home was a place of warmth, comfort, and support where each of her children felt safe and deeply loved. Her creativity was a source of joy, and she expressed herself often by writing stories, poems, and even songs for her grandchildren. 

Donna is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Paul Kimbrew; her daughters, Stacey Patterson and Lauren (Peter) Bluth; her grandchildren, Austin Patterson, Ashley (Neil) Scherich, Emma Patterson, and Ava Bluth; and her siblings, Patricia (Robert) Levenson, Tammy (Craig) Richards, and Rick (Iara) VanGilder; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Michael E (Linda) VanGilder and Dennis (Cathy) VanGilder. 

Friends and family are welcome to call at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Ave, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a vigil beginning at 5:00 p.m., led by Father Casey Mahone.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 29th, at 11:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 329 Maryland Avenue. Followed by the procession to Grafton National Cemetery, where Donna will be laid to rest. A reception to celebrate her life will conclude at Marian Hall at Immaculate Conception Church.

The family is forever grateful for the loving care and support of the professional staff at John Manchin Senior Health Care Center and Hospice in Fairmont, WV.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Donna’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011 Washington, D.C. 20090-6011.