Donna Louise Crosby

1935 - 2018

Donna Louise Crosby

Springfield - After a long, beautiful, and purposeful life, Donna Louise Crosby passed away on February 17, 2018 at the Manor at Elfindale in Springfield, Missouri. She was 82 years of age.

Donna Louise Wallace was born on September 22, 1935 in Odessa, Missouri to Gilbert and Aleene Wallace. She grew up in Carrolton, Missouri, one of seven brothers and sisters, all of whom survive.

While working as a television producer and editor at KMBC in Kansas City, Donna met and married Donald G. Crosby, a dental student at UMKC. They later lived in Topeka, KS, Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and Ft. Smith, AR while Don served in the Army.

They finally settled in Springfield, MO in 1963, where they raised their four children. She became a prominent force in the world of the arts. She was a passionate supporter of Springfield Little Theatre (particularly during the acquisition of the Historic Landers Theatre), Springfield Ballet, Springfield Regional Opera, and the Art Museum. She served in every capacity imaginable, wherever there was a need, with innate intelligence and grace.

In the early 80's Donna earned both Real Estate and Broker's licenses, embarking on a long and successful career with Carol Jones Realty. Commended multiple times for the volume of sales she generated, she also enjoyed a long tenure as director of real estate sales for Highland Springs Country Club where she resided for many years.

In 1991 she married James E. Jameson, MD, and they shared 26 years together until his passing in 2016.

Renowned among her many friends and family for her hospitality and generosity, she was a legendary baker of pies that she constantly gave away as gifts and at countless family gatherings. Donna was a voracious reader her entire life, and enjoyed belonging to her book club and swapping good reads with her close friends. Other passions included antiques, travel, theatre, entertaining, and a good game of cribbage.

Her family was a daily witness to the graciousness with which she lived her life. She instilled in her children a sense of selflessness, beauty, and worth. She was a tireless cheerleader of all their endeavors, and a most beloved "Minnie" to her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Donna was blessed with many dear, close friends. They know who they are.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Aleene Wallace, first husband, Donald G. Crosby, her beloved son, Christopher, and her second husband, James E. Jameson.

She is survived by her sisters, Betty and Ann, brothers, Jim, Gilbert, EA, and Jerry.

Also surviving are her children, Kerry Wilson (Larry), Kim Westenberg (Robert), and Craig Crosby (Heather); grandchildren, Austen Musil (Mark), Barrett Crosby, Mitchell Crosby, Ian Kester (Jillian), Hana Vujeva (Steven), Emily Westenberg, Katie Westenberg, Joseph Westenberg, Oliver Crosby, Charles Crosby, and Chad Miller (Missy); great-grandchildren, Sean Musil, Marcus Musil, Eliot Vujeva, Cora Vujeva, Ezra Kester, Rebecca Miller, and Josh Miller.

As per her wishes, there will be no memorial service, but the family wishes to have a celebration of her life on Tuesday, February 20, from 6-8pm at Touch Restaurant on East Republic Road.

The family wishes to thank the attentive and skilled staff of the Manor at Elfindale and Hospice Compasses of Missouri. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donna's name to Springfield Little Theatre or Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.

Online condolences may be left at gormanscharpf.com.