Donna Metzler

Donna Marie Metzler (nee Kaveny) passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on March 1, 2025, at the age of 87 in Chicago, Illinois.
Born May 20, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, Donna infused her life with a love for her fellow travelers, a commitment to service of others, an unwavering belief in the power of education, and a special attention to women and children.
While we mourn her loss, we celebrate her life and contributions.
Donna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kurt W. Metzler and their cherished granddaughter Hannah Melissa Metzler. Together they leave a rich legacy expressed through their children: Kurt (Cathy) Metzler, Michael (Nancy) Metzler, Monica Metzler, Madeleine Metzler, and Christopher Metzler.
Donna's love and guidance extended to her grandchildren, who cherished their time with her: Luke Metzler, the late Hannah Metzler, Matthew Metzler, and Michael Metzler. From tender moments to boisterous laughter, from theater to travel, from sage guidance to compassionate listening, her grandchildren enjoyed the richness of her offerings.
Donna was the cherished sister of the late John (the late Jean) Kaveny, the late Madeleine (the late Robert) Maguire, and Maureen (the late Kevin) McKeough. She was the beloved aunt to many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all of whom benefited from her nurturing presence and gentle wisdom. Donna, her brother, and two sisters, echoing their own mother's example, instilled in their children an enduring camaraderie that today draws almost one hundred of the "in-laws and out-laws" to an annual summer vacation on the shores of Lake Michigan. She cultivated deep friendships within her family and created a wide-ranging family of friends.
Donna's love of learning permeated her life, receiving her bachelor's from Marquette, her master's degree from Northern Illinois University while raising young children, and returning to law school in her 50s when her own children were in college. She earned her J.D. from the University of Illinois School of Law in 1992 and was even selected by her much younger classmates to deliver their commencement address. When a friend intimated that she didn't know Donna wanted to be a lawyer, Donna responded, "I'm not sure I want to be a lawyer, but I always wanted to study the law." And so she did.
Donna's professional life mirrored her personal life in one important aspect – service toward others. Her children recall all-too-well her household mantra of "anticipating the needs of others around you," which informed most of her interactions well beyond the walls of her\ home. After a full career as a speech pathologist and special education administrator, Donna's second act as an attorney combined this experience in service of families and school districts in the Chicagoland area.
If she wasn't busy enough, Donna also found time to serve others by tutoring at the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora, IL, counseling inmates at Cook County Jail through Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM), serving on the Board of the Dorothy Stang Alternative High School, and filling myriad roles at Annunciation parish. She continually found ways to touch individual lives while strengthening communities. She always wanted to see the world and while this was not possible in her youth, she made up for it as much as possible later in life. Traveling to her homeland of Ireland, through Europe, South Africa, South America and Alaska, she embraced the world and its peoples with curiosity and acceptance, making friends wherever she went. When not traveling she continued her exploration of the world through reading and sharing.
In life and in death, Donna was as concerned for our planet as she was for her fellow travelers. She has chosen a natural burial, so she can be gentle toward the earth and enrich it in the same way it has enriched her. She loved the eco-adage, "Take nothing but memories and leave nothing but footprints." Donna's footprints, though tender, are big footprints to fill. Her sense of service, her can-do spirit, and her care for our planet, provide an admirable legacy that lives on through her family and friends.
If you'd like to follow in Donna's footsteps, donations may be made to The Dominican Literacy Center, where she was honored for her 20+ years of volunteering service, or help our earth by planting a tree (her grand-daughter Hannah was partial to ginkgos).
Donna chose Green Burial at Casper Creek Cemetery in Galena.
CELEBRATION OF LIFE - MEMORIAL - "IRISH WAKE" FOR DONNA METZLER
SUNDAY MARCH 9, 3:00 - 6:00 (Open Mic Remarks @ 4pm)
Chief O'Neill's Restaurant
3471 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618
CHIEF O'NEILL'S LINK: https://www.chiefoneillspub.com
Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-370-2959 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.