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Donna Mims Obituary
Age 82 of Bridgeville on Tuesday October 6, 2009. Born July 1, 1927 to George Warnoch and Margaret Bodner. She was known by many as the "Pink Lady, Think Pink, Donna Amazing and even Free Maui". Donna started racing in 1958 and was the first woman driver ever to win a Sports Car Club of America National Championship H Production 1963. Her career and involvement in Yenko led her to racing such cars as the Camaro, Austin Healey, MG, Corvette and Corvairs. She worked for Yenko Chevrolet and Yenko sports car division as executive secretary for both and was the liaison for design and production with the Yenko sports car division. They worked on performance for cars such as the Duece, Camaro, Nova, Chevelle, Corvair, and Yenko Stinger. She worked closely with Zora Arkus-Duntov, Ed Cole and the pioneers of Chevrolet Racing. She coordinated parts delivery and car development of Corvette Race Cars in Canonsburg PA. She raced many times in Sebring, Daytona, and Riverside. Donna Mae was as original participant in the original Cannonball Run where her 1968 Cadillac Limo was wrecked with her teammate behind the wheel. She was known as being able to go toe to toe with some of the best drivers in the country at speeds up to 140 miles per hour. She was an avid longtime member of the Sports Car Club of America, Corvette Club of Western PA, founder and member of Steeltown Corvette Club, and member of Three Rivers Corvette Club. She also belonged to Western PA Corvair Club. Her other interests included Jazz music and teaching Sunday school as an active member in Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church. Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUERS, Peters Township, 724-941-3211. Friends are welcome to attend a celebration of her life Saturday and Sunday from 2pm till 8pm both days. Additional visitation Monday from 10 am until time of service at 11. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Corvette Museum, 350 Corvette Dr., Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101-9134, phone: (270)-781-7973. Please add or view tributes at www.beinhauerfamilyservices.com
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LEGENDS: The Car, The Lady
November 7, 2009
What an amazing inspiration you are, Donna Mae. Living life to the fullest, indeed! I only met you once (at the Mid-Ohio Vintage races) but your enthusiasm for the sport--and your passion for reaching for all that life has to offer--will be remembered.
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I'm sure that you're 'up there' right now talking racing lines with another fierce H/P competitor, a certain P.L. Newman.
October 27, 2009
DMM, I knew you for only a brief time near the end of the trail, but your enthusiasm for the sport had clearly never dimmed. Thank you so much for the first hand accounts of the glory days of amateur sports car racing, and for contributing so much to the Cumberland revival.
Scott "Lil Bro" Williams
Richard Witt II
October 27, 2009
Early in my racing career, actually well before, there were names you knew in NE sports car racing: Penske,Nagel, Tullius and Mims. My father was the first grown man I ever saw with a crush, watching her as she posed next to her pink Corvair. I've always believed a racer's spirit never dies it just changes teams. Her's was a life that touched many, we are all blessed.
October 13, 2009
I have known Donna Mae for SO MANY years with our relationship involving Tri-River Car Club Council...TRCCC...3 C's....and enjoying her "stories" at PID reunions, car club meetings, socials, etc....and ever so personal similar life experiences.....that she will be missed so very much.....wishing you GOD'S SPEED DONNA MAE...to the Heavenly Place you deserve....GOD'S SPEED.....GOD BLESS US ALL....
June Simmen, PAST PRES, VP, SEC, TRCCC
and my beloved Husband and Chauffer, Charles.....
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Andy Flint
October 13, 2009
Cousin Donna (Free Maui while she lived in Chicago) is actually my mom's cousin, and one of my favorite Warnocks. Although I wasn't old enough to appreciate her accomplishments while she was racing, I really enjoyed listening to her stories! I'll never forget her pink corvette when I was learning to drive! She didn't let me drive it very far, but WOW, the ride she took me on in the back roads of West Virginia! She definately is the reason I was attracted to the auto industry for the last 20+ years.
My favorite cheesecake is still from a nice restaurant she took me to at the top of the incline on Mt Washington, where she had her pink apartment (pink shag carpet on the floors, walls, and ceilings!).
Thanks for the memories, Cuz!!!
Chuck Martin
October 13, 2009
I have many fond memories of watching the"Pink Lady" racing at the old airport courses at Connelsville, Pa., and Cumberland, Md., when I was in my teens. Last saw her at the PVGP in 2007. She will be missed.
Ed Hartley
October 13, 2009
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
October 12, 2009
I met Donna about 40 years ago and she was just the most fun, outgoing, original person I have ever met!! The world should have had more Donna's!!
Carol & Bob Churchill
October 12, 2009
Steel Town Corvette Club Meetings would not have been the same or near as much fun without Donna Mae Mims. We had the good fortune to associate with Donna Mae for at least 15 years and have such fond memories that will last on and on. Even after moving to Las Vegas we kept in touch with phone calls. She'll be missed by so many. Every time I see the color pink she'll come to mind.
Smith Charlene & Jeffrey
October 12, 2009
To Donna Mae's family:
We just knew her from living in the same building. She was a very nice lady who always had nice things to say! We are very sorry for your loss.
Charlene and Jeffrey Smith
Linda Gynn
October 12, 2009
I admired Donna Mae for many years when I was very young, for being one of the first female race car drivers and for being "The Classy Pink Lady". Years later, having purchased my own corvette and becoming a member of the Steeltown Corvette Club, I had the great pleasure of meeting her. She was a warm, lovely lady and I was saddened to hear of her passing - the "Corvette World" has lost a very dear friend. She will be missed by many.
My condolences to her family and friends.
David and Nancy Oreski
October 11, 2009
To a Classy Lady -- Our Condolences to her family and friends. We had the pleasure of getting to know her at the Steeltown Corvette meetings.
Linda Poole
October 11, 2009
I never met Donna, but I wish I would have. We worked tech inspection for many years for SCCA. Also, my favorite color is pink and I have had Corvairs and currently have a Corvette. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Denny & Edie Mayersky
October 11, 2009
What a privalege to have known you and that terrific smile.Your stories and love of life will be sadly missed.
Roger (Doc) Williams
October 11, 2009
Thank you Donna Mae for being a part of SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). You are a credit to the sport of racing and will be remembered as a "classy lady" and friend.
Neil Albaugh
October 10, 2009
I remember seeing Donna Mae race at the old Marlboro Raceway near DC-- her car, driver's suit, and helmet were all pink; her slogan was "THINK PINK!"
You'll be missed by many folks.
October 10, 2009
Gary & Sherrie Sloane you will be missed!
October 9, 2009
Remember Donna, Wide Open Throttle till you see God, then brake! But you're the one that told ME that.
We'll miss you, pink lady.
Gerry Klimo
October 9, 2009
Donna Mae was always the same. She was fun,happy,and a joy to know. You would never realize that she was a pioneer. She was a gifted race car driver and wonderful person. I had the honor of knowing her when I was a member of Steeltown Corvette Club. She was instrumental in starting that club. Now she will be reunited with her racing buddies Don Yenko, Ed Myers, Bob McClure,and Zora Arkus Duntov.Can you smell the rubber burning and racing fuel? DMM thanks for touching so many lives. We will miss you.
Bob Jacobsen
October 9, 2009
A truly great person has left us. Donna Mae's outgoing personality and penchant to tell a great story will live with those that she touched.
Donna Mae co-founded 3 Rivers Corvette Club and will always be member #1
Bernard Martin
October 9, 2009
What a very very very nice lady! She was known and respected around the world for setting a breaking through a male dominated sport and opened to doors for many of today's female race drivers.
October 9, 2009
We'll miss the smiles and stories, Donna Mae touched lives even for the short visits we shared with our connections with Steet Town. Liese & Joe Sabelli
John Walko
October 8, 2009
Donna Maezing! She truly was an amazing person. Her accomplishments are legendary, her friends were the famous as well as the little people, and her family was the sports car racing community of Pittsburgh. A native daughter that was proud of her roots, Donna Mae never forgot where she came from, even when holding her own with the Royalty of American road racing. She will be missed.
October 8, 2009
Donna Mae, we will miss your tales of your life experiances that you have shared with all of us. You will be dearly missed. Sincerely, The Kirkwoods
Tom Householder
October 8, 2009
Donna without a doubt was one of the folks you would want immortality granted to.
Tom Householder
Triumph Registries
Terry Bauer
October 8, 2009
We will all deeply miss Donna at our Steel Town Corvette Club Meetings with her constant smile and countless stories about her racing years. She will definately live on in our memories and our hearts!
Urica Wade
October 8, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
October 8, 2009
Donna Mae , Warren Dernoshek and I co-authored a book , " The Yenko Era", several years ago, about the history and our times at Yenko Chevrolet in its hayday in the 60's. We never laughed so much as we sat around telling stories and reminding each other of things we had done. Donna Mae may be gone but she will live on in our hearts . Mark Gillespie ( Indianapolis, In )
October 8, 2009
RIP, Queen Mother! Three Rivers Corvette Club will dearly miss you. Sincerely - the Partridges
The Kerr Family
October 8, 2009
We will miss this SCCA Legend. We enjoyed Donna Mae's signature pink at the track and around our neighborhood. The endless supply of great stories will keep her alive in our hearts. God Bless.
Dan DelBianco
October 8, 2009
Donna Mae had a bright smile and a pink outfit every time I met her at a Pttsburgh Vintage Grand Prix event. Her colorful racing career and memorable stories will never be forgotten. We had hoped that Donna Mae would be able to serve as our Honorary Race Director at the Grand Prix next summer...her Grand Prix family will be sure to honor her memory at our Opening Ceremonies on July 25, 2010.
Dan DelBianco
PVGP Executive Director
Chris Granche
October 8, 2009
I've known Donna Mae for many years as a member of Steel Cities Region of SCCA. She was always nice to everyone and never said an unkind word. A few years ago I found a pink Steeler shirt and bought it for her. The smile on her face was worth the cost of the shirt, She worked long days on the grid - the smile never leaving her face. We'll miss our 50/50 raffle ticket seller, our Pink Lady grid worker and the Pink Lady that we have all have come to know and love.
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