Donna D. Warneke

1944 - 2016

Donna Darlene Warneke, nee Garrison, 72, formerly of Washington, died at her home in Saco, Maine, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Donna was born March 16, 1944, in St. Louis, the daughter of Joseph Garrison and wife Mary Ellen. She was a 1962 graduate of Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, and was elected mayor of her class. She also attended Iowa State University.

Donna worked for years in furniture sales until she started her dream job managing Montelle Winery in Augusta. She also co-founded an interior design and landscaping business with her friend, Mike Bunton. After moving to Maine, she worked at Christmas Tree Shop, Microbac Labs and Katahdin Analytical Labs.

Donna survived a diagnosis of breast cancer, and after having a mastectomy, she remained cancer free, and became involved in Relay For Life?for many years. After her youngest daughter, Stacy, was killed by a drunk driver, Donna also volunteered for ?Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Donna was a woman of many talents and great loves, and she liked to joke that the only thing she loved more than her family was chocolate, but it was a close second. Music was always a large part of her life, and she had some wonderfully colorful stories about live shows, her favorites being Chuck Berry playing at her high school prom and sneaking underage into a bar to see Ike and Tina Turner. She was an amazingly talented interior and landscape designer with an eye for color, and could look at an empty space indoors or outdoors and knew just what to do to make it look great. At home, she tended her garden with a green thumb, read mysteries and historical romances, sewed and quilted, and created delicious dishes, although she never followed a recipe. Always eager to connect with others through her many passions, she loved going to fairs, festivals, shopping and always making new friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Michelle X. Warneke, Saco, Maine; one brother, Charles Garrison and wife Karen, Binghamton, N.Y.; one aunt, Frances Babcock, Monett; three cousins, Kathy Lambert and husband Mark, Columbia, Ill., Mike Babcock and wife Nita, Republic, and Lona Walker, Monett; other relatives and many friends.

Donna was predeceased by her daughter, Stacy Warneke; her mother, Mary Ellen Beavan; her father, Joe Garrison; three uncles, John, Harold and Donny Babcock; two aunts, Willadean and Sally Babcock; and one cousin, David Babcock.

Visitation was held Friday, Oct. 21, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, 87 James St., Saco, Maine.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to help Friends of Feral Felines, P.O. Box 8137, Portland, ME 04104.