Donna Gleason O’Neill

I met Donna several years ago on the pickleball court here in Minneapolis. She was always smiling, friendly and played a darned good game!!

Donna was the type of person who made the world a better place just because she was in it. I worked with Donna at Jackson from 2011-16. She was kind, personable, logical, with not a pretentious bone in her body. If I ran into Donna while having a bad day, I knew it would get better after a quick chat with her. She didn't have to go out of her way to make me feel better or lay any wisdom on me, she was just a really good person. Although we were not close, I will miss all the good I know she was spreading in the world.

Donna was my next door neighbor (so to speak) when I first joined Luther Jackson Middle School in 2006. She was a pillar of support and comfort during that difficult first year. She was passionate about teaching and a strong advocate for her students. Her positive demeanor and zest for life was inspirational! May her soul Rest in Peace!
Sincerely,
Sulekha Subhash

My favorite memories are sitting poolside at the BCRC pool where we spent hours chatting; learning pickleball from Donna - she was a great teacher! - and then playing pickleball every day through Covid. I will forever smile when I do laundry and the dryer balls bounce around. I cherish my dishtowel that Donna embroidered with a pickleball. She is forever in my heart.

Donna and I started out as "summer friends". We hung out at the pool, shared our stories about school, laughed, and gossipped. When Covid hit, we began playing pickleball. Donna was a natural athlete. We had many laughs and so much fun. During the last 4 years, we have become quite close. Donna will always be my "forever" friend.
I will miss you, dear friend.

Donna was a wonderful teacher who was loved by her students and taught them well. She´ll be missed by many. Virginia Smart

I joined the ESOL team at Luther Jackson Middle School in 2002. Donna was very warm and welcoming from Day 1. She was a dedicated, creative teacher and respected by all. I was always impressed by how much she read and kept active in many sports, even when she got sick. I will miss her. I wish I had been able to play Pickleball with her. I know we would´ve had fun.