Donna Joyce Gustinis

With deep love and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and Aunt, Donna Gustinis, who entered eternal rest on September 20, 2025, at Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, surrounded by her devoted family.

When God designed mothers and grandmothers, He surely had Donna in mind. Born on April 17, 1943, in Pontiac, Michigan, Donna's journey was defined by resilience, strength, and unconditional love. At just 14 years old, she bravely set out on her own, surviving through homemaking skills such as baking homemade bread, delicious pies, and ironing clothes. From that young age forward, she became the strong, independent woman her family so deeply admired.

Donna's beauty, grace, and vibrant spirit shone early-she was crowned Homecoming Queen of Walled Lake Central in 1960. Soon after, she married and welcomed her first three children: Charles, Tracy, and Lisa. Eventually Donna became a young, divorced mother of three under the age of four, she worked tirelessly-often holding down two jobs at once-while still pouring her heart into raising and doting on her children. She loved sharing stories of barricading her little ones in a bedroom just to "watch" them as she tried to rest before her next shift. Her determination and resourcefulness carried her family through those difficult years with grace.

Later, Donna remarried, gaining the role of stepmother to six children, and eventually welcomed her youngest daughter, Kerrie-lovingly nicknamed by her siblings as "The Golden Egg." This new chapter allowed her to embrace her role as a homemaker, filling the house with the aroma of fresh bread daily and preparing every meal from scratch. Mornings were busy with teenagers rushing to school, but Donna kept order with her strict, loving ways.

Though small in stature at just 5'2", Donna was mighty in spirit. She was intelligent, fiercely opinionated, and deeply curious- having a high school education and some college credits, her love of books, history, and politics made her exceptionally well-read. Family members will fondly recall her trademark phrase, "I will tell you," Often punctuated with a pointed finger when she meant business.

The words that best describe Donna are loyal, loving, hardworking, and honest. She was, above all, the very best Mother, Grandmother, Sister, and Aunt anyone could hope for.

Donna was preceded in death by her beloved son, Charles Richardson (Cynthia Richardson), her dear sisters Alberta and Judy, and her cherished parents, Madeline and Louie. She is survived by her daughters Tracy Richardson (Mark Goddu), Lisa Brennan (Mike Brennan), and Kerrie Schneider (Steve Schneider); her treasured grandchildren who lovingly named her "Gaga" - Hunter Vaitiekus (Patrick Vaitiekus), Brooke Farr, Calen Knight, Michael Brennan III, Sienna Richardson, and Sydney Schneider; and her precious great-grandchildren Jamie Bockstahler, CJ Fischer, Rosalina Hood, and Matthew Vaitiekus. She also leaves behind her adored brother James Neighbors and sister-in-law and close friend Janet Neighbors, her loving sister Brenda "Sue" Ossowski and brother-in-law Joseph Ossowski, and her sister Mary Desjardins, along with her Sister-In-Law Virginia Gustinis and many adoring nieces and nephews.

While our hearts ache at her loss, we take great comfort in knowing she has been joyfully reunited in heaven with her son Chuck, her sisters, and her parents.

A private burial will take place at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, Michigan, where Donna will be laid to rest with the dignity and peace she so greatly deserves.

Donna's legacy of love, strength, and devotion to her family will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew her. "Mother," "Mom," "Mama" & "Gaga," thank you for always putting your family first. We will see you again one day, but until then we love you dearly.

~ Lovingly written by the family ~