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Kathleen Donahue Obituary
Kathleen Ann Donahue, 59 years old of Port Austin, passed away on December 7, 2023 at Country Gardens in Pigeon. She peacefully took her last breath with her family by her side. She was born to the late Donald J. and Grace L. (Weber) Donahue on April 14, 1964.
Kathleen was a well-known community member of Port Austin, a talented artisan and owner of Used-to-Bees Upholstery. She showed her work extensively throughout the county and became known for her custom memory pillows. Kathy was a fixture at the local Farmers Market and helped to make it the success it is today.
One of Kathy's greatest joys in life was her family, including her parents and her eight siblings; Donald (Margaret) Donahue, Naperville, IL, Michael (Jennifer) Donahue, Traverse City, MI, Thomas Donahue (Mark Rettman), Patterson, NY, Dennis Donahue, Whitehall, MI, Mary (Jake) Glazier, Traverse City, MI, James (Elena) Donahue, Rochester, MI, Teresa (Jon) Mayes, Okemos, Mi, Gregory (Danielle) Donahue, Traverse City, MI; twenty-eight nieces and nephews, William, Emily, Megan, Matthew, Brendan, Katie, Connor, Ashley, Michael, Allison, Marion, Donald, Kylie, Laura, Erin, Elaine, Edwin, Haley, Ellen, Charles, Olivia, Casey, Joseph, Thomas, Cecilia, Maximillian, John, Augustin; and also blessed with several great nieces and nephews.
Kathy will be sorely missed by so many people who considered her a dear friend. Even if you only had one encounter with Kathleen in your lifetime, you would have considered yourself hugged.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 11:00 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church (Annunciation of the Lord Parish) in Port Austin, with Fr. Craig Carolan officiating.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at MacAlpine Gage Chapel in Kinde from 2:00-8:00 PM, and also from 10:00-11:00 AM at the church on Wednesday. A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 PM Tuesday at the Gage Chapel.
Memorials in Kathleen's memory may be offered to Huron County Safe Place, Bad Axe, MI. huroncountysafeplace.com or Alzheimer's Association, act.alz.org
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Donahue
Sponsored by MacAlpine Funeral Home - Gage Chapel - Kinde Gage Chapel.
Tierney Ohly
December 24, 2023
Dear Mary and the entire big, beautiful Donahue family ~ So very sorry for your loss, especially at this time of year. Even though you feel an emptiness, think of your sweet sister Kathy in a beautiful place, walking in the Father's light and love. She has been "gathered with her people." Genesis 25:8, 35:29, also Numbers 20:24. She is reunited! God bless you all.
Mark Paczkowski
December 14, 2023
Kathy was a department manager at Hudson´s Eastland, a few years back. We worked on the same floor and shared so many laughs, lunch and dinner breaks. Her laugh and vibrant personality- can´t be forgotten. My condolences to her family.
Melissa Hogan
December 14, 2023
Kathleen! Just saddened to read this. I was thinking about you today, as I rest against pillows you madeYou were such a gift of talent and kindness and humor. ❤
Carol Pearson
December 13, 2023
Kathleen was such an artist! I met her through my daughter, Kelli Hass, another vendor at the many art fairs she exhibited her works at. She had such an eye for putting different media together to make the perfect pillows and furniture! I purchased many items for gifts and myself from her. She was a dear, good friend to my daughter and we both will miss her terribly. I walk about my home now and see her work all over and will remember her always. My condolences to the entire family and her many friends.
Monica Schwanitz
December 13, 2023
Eternal rest, grant unto Kathleen, O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon her. Prayers for you and all that loved you and called you ‘friend’ as you say your final “goodbye”.
Your earthly person will be greatly missed.
Cameron, Monica & Matt Schwanitz
Clark and Linda Johnson
December 13, 2023
Kathleen is going to be missed by many. She was a beautiful soul that touched so many lives.
When ever she was present there was fun and laughter. She always had a kind word to say and a hug to give. Kathleen was a “Bright Star of Lakeside”. We have many wonderful memories of Kathleen that we cherish! Fly high Miss Kathy, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Matthew & Maureen Luxem
December 12, 2023
We've heard so many fun and wonderful stories about "Aunt Kathy" from our daughter-in-law, Marion Donahue Luxem. What a lovely woman! We are so very sorry to hear of her passing. We look forward to meeting her again in Heaven. Sending love to the whole Donahue Family. We are keeping you in our prayers. The Luxem Family
Lori Lobdell
December 10, 2023
Kathleen was a great friend and a great person! She worked on the UPS truck is a jumper Christmas season for me for several years we had so much fun together she was just a joy she would brighten your day every time you saw her she'll be dearly missed love you dear I know you're in a great place now Lori
Dawn & Dennis Hafeli
December 10, 2023
Kathleen was such a beautiful soul. Once you met her you were her forever friend. Some might say she was brassy and irreverent, but that was her inner vibrant spirit coming out. She lit up a room with her laughter, her stories, and her endless energy.
We shared hometown roots in St Clair Shores and that became a bond. We embraced her super artistic talents and our Port Austin home shows that.- “Kathleen”pillows are in every room, as well as upholstered chairs and benches and window seats in fabrics I might not have considered, but were fabulous when done.
We also shared April birthdays - as she said: “Amazing people are born in April”. How could you not love her!
And she loved Port Austin so much! The Farmers Market, Art in the Park, PAK’s Garage, her own idea of WOW/Wednesdays on Washington. And there was no better promoter of Porch Fest and the bands that played at her Used-To-Bees shop.
We have been so blessed to have Kathleen in our lives. May the angels carry her to Paradise. We hope they’re ready for her up there. ❤❤
Brandon Strong
December 9, 2023
In loving memory of a dear friend whose vibrant spirit brought so much joy to our art shows. Her presence, filled with an adventurous soul and contagious laughter, made every gathering brighter. Kathy's artistic talent was a beacon of inspiration to all who knew her. Though she is no longer with us, her energy and passion for life will forever linger in our hearts. Her absence will be deeply felt and her memory will remain a cherished treasure. Rest in peace, dear friend. You'll be dearly missed.
Molly Rose
December 9, 2023
Our sincere condolences go out to the entire Donahue clan. I only had the opportunity to meet Kathy on a couple of occasions and was drawn to her big smile and great sense of humor. May you find peace in the lovely memories of your sister, aunt and friend. XOXO Brad and Molly Rose
Denice & Virgil Gremillion
December 9, 2023
Sending prayers and hugs
Denice & Virgil
Janet Seidell
December 8, 2023
Jim, Elena, Elaine - Deepest sympathy on the loss of your wonderful sister and aunt. I feel blessed that I got to know Kathy at your cottage. I instantly fell in love with her pillows too. I had so many more pillows on my list to get from Kathy. She was one of a kind and so were her pillows! May you and your family find peace in all your memories with Kathy. Keeping you in our prayers! The Seidell Family
Colleen and Paul Poisson
December 8, 2023
Kathleen, was not a person that we saw everyday, but was a forever friend. We meet at least 20 years ago and she didn’t like to cook, but liked to eat..she always wanted me to make her chicken pot pie..her comfort food. When her mom passed that what she asked me for..enough pot pie to feed my family. We worked together, laughed a lot and even had a few fun trips together. I pray she is “dancin in heaven “ ❤
Steve & Michelle Radlinski
December 8, 2023
Heaven gained an Angel. Kathleen was such a sweet soul. I lived across the street from Used to Bees and we became very dear friends. She was very sweet and generous to my daughter and my Family. When my mother had Alzheimer’s and was living at Questover, Kathleen would go visit her weekly. I always appreciated that. Anyone who knew her adored her. She was a Pillar of the Community and would offer a helping hand to anyone at any time. She will be truly missed and a void will be left inPort Austin
Diana Heiden
December 8, 2023
........ Kathleen would sub teach at North Huron. She liked peanut butter and "red jam"; you must put peanut butter on both sides of sandwich with red jam in the middle! Cottage cheese was a big hit also. Kathleens aura always made me smile and pass on a smile. Peace to
Kathleens family and friends. Diana Heiden
Kathy Winkler
December 8, 2023
My goodness, one never knows when your book of Life is complete. So shocking. I had the pleasure on meeting Kathleen a few times, had the opportunity to see her sewing studio and I have always been in awe of her sewing talent. Rest dear Kathleen, until we meet again in our heavenly life.
HarJo's Ben Franklin
December 8, 2023
Kathleen will be missed by so many! The crew at HarJo’s Ben Franklin has been missing her for sometime since she had been ill. We miss her running in like a tornado, getting us laughing with one of her stories and eating her york mints. We will miss her so very much! Love, the HarJo's crew
Cathy Oldani
December 8, 2023
When we bought our cottage several years ago, I met Kathleen at the Farmer's Market at her booth. That meeting started my addiction for PILLOWS- her pillows! I am now a proud owner of 19 of Kathleen's beautiful pillows! (Halloween ones, Christmas, Beach themes, you name it, I bought it!) The first pillow I bought was inscribed with "Consider Yourself Hugged"! (And she told me the beautiful story that goes with it) We also became FB buddies chatting about her next color scheme and designs. When she left the Bee-Barn and Farmers Market to attend more shows, I would often run into her restocking the shelves at PAKS Garage. I will sincerely miss her and will always cherish her many beautiful pillow displayed throughout my cottage. Thank you Kathleen!. And I DO consider myself HUGGED!
Maryann Thompson
December 8, 2023
She was a wonderful neighbor and I love the two chairs she redid for me. I enjoyed when she subbed at school even though it was for just a short time. She will be missed.
Carol Kassab Reno
December 8, 2023
My heart breaks for the entire family and all friends over this huge loss of such a beautiful person. Her talent was incredible. I commissioned her to make 20 outdoor cushions 130 miles away and the job could not have been more perfect. I and a host of many others will always miss her and never forget her.
Rest in peace and rise in glory beautiful Kathleen.
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