Deborah G. Chamberlain (Donaldson)

Deborah G. Chamberlain (formerly Donaldson; Butchart) passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2021, surrounded by loved ones and listening to the Beatles.

Deborah was a Renaissance woman.  She worked in advertising, marketing, and public relations for decades, including as founder/owner of Donaldson Media & Marketing Services.  She taught these subjects as adjunct faculty at Marquette and area community colleges.  She shared her talents pro bono for many local organizations, including the Modjeska Youth Theater Co. and Sojourner Family Peace Center.  Later, she reinvented herself.  She authored Orange Picnic, a memoir.  She wrote community columns for the Journal Sentinel, the same paper that named her, at age 57, one of Milwaukee’s top singles.  In semi-retirement, she set out to learn new skills and have more fun.  She bartended concerts and summer festivals, worked at a women-owned hardware store, and volunteered with the Wauwatosa Police Reserves, to name a few. 

Deborah died from early-onset Alzheimer’s.  This did not stop her from enjoying her favorite things until the very end: dancing, joking, laughing, listening to good tunes, and playing with babies.  She also enjoyed reading, traveling, grilling out, cheering on the Packers and Brewers, and “complaining about the weather.”  She lovingly sewed first day of school outfits, handcrafted Halloween costumes, and crocheted baby blankets that she donated to Children’s Hospital.  Cooking and baking were her love language.  Her party bread, jerk chicken, and French silk pie will be missed.  (And, no, you still can’t have the recipe.)  She will be remembered for her quick wit, temper, and stunning red hair.  She never greyed.

Above all, she was proudest of the values and joy she led as a mom, grandma, and sister.  She will be missed dearly by her daughter Becca Donaldson (Vyacheslav “Steve” Gorodetskiy), grandson and favorite human Levin Gorodetskiy, brothers Craig and Ross (Melissa) Chamberlain, and lifelong friend Elizabeth “Buffy” (Bob) Howard.  She is also survived by cherished nieces and nephews, friends, colleagues, and Paul McCartney.

Deborah was born in Wisconsin on August 25, 1951, to the late Chester and Edith Chamberlain.  She looked forward to “going home” to see them, along with her late brother Chet Chamberlain, sister Moira Clark, nephew Patrick Chamberlain, and her beloved Michael.

A celebration honoring Deborah’s life will take place on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 5:00 pm at the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum.  Private family interment took place at Assumption Cemetery in Glenwood, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Sojourner Family Peace Center or a favorite organization that supports the mental health of children affected by violence.