Donna Sue Rosen

Donna Sue (Lackey) Rosen, age 87, of Lillian, Alabama, died Wednesday January 29, 2025, in her home in Lillian, Alabama following a long battle with COVID-19 and RSV. Donna was born in Palestine, IL., September 3rd, 1937, to George R. Lackey and Evelyn Rose (York) Lackey.
Little is known about Donna Sue after her parents separated when Donna was six years old, and her father took her away from Palestine to be raised by an aunt and uncle. It is believed that after Donna Sue graduated High School then she went to work in Terre Haute, IN for the Clabber Girl Baking Powder Company and later transferred to Indianapolis, Indiana to work for Hulman & Co as a secretary in their warehouse and shipping departments. She met and married Irving Rosen, a retired optometrist, on May 16, 1975. Together, after retiring, they moved to Lillian, AL and lived there until Irving died November 3, 2004. While living the "Gulf Coast" life, Donna and Irving played golf almost daily. However, golf was not Donna's gig; it was duplicate bridge. Donna achieved the rank of Duplicate Life Master and was always available to teach others the fine points of Bridge.
Alone once again and having no knowledge of her family, she was surprised to hear from a half-brother, Charles Murphy, that he had found her by way of genealogy search and contacted her to establish a long overdue connection to her past.
In 2023, a half-sister, Mrs. Linda McQueen, accompanied by her three daughters, drove to Alabama to meet, for the first time, her only sister. What a special day that was. Donna and her sister, Linda, spoke by phone as often as they could.
Then, February 5th, a telephone call from law enforcement in Baldwin County, Alabama to inform Mrs. McQueen that Donna Sue had passed away in her home and was at the Baldwin County Coroner's office.
Survivors include two half-brothers Charles "Chuck" Murphy, West York, IL and Douglas "Doug" Murphy, Robinson, IL; a half-sister Mrs. Linda (John) McQueen, Robinson, IL; two stepsons Dr. Steven (Karen) Rosen, Tucson, AZ and Larry Rosen of Warren, Ohio; three step-grandchildren and five step-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Julie (Rod) Carter, Hardinville, IL, Jill (David) York, Oblong, IL, Jody (Shawn) Hetzler, Robinson, IL, April Carbonneau, Marshall, IL and Amanda Holmes, Palestine, IL, James Davids, Robinson, IL, William R. "Bill" McQueen, Flat Rock, IL, Jacob Murphy, West York, IL David Murphy, Robinson, IL. Preceding Mrs. Rosen in death were her parents, her husband, and an aunt and uncle who raised her, and a stepdaughter Barbara Rosen.
A celebration of Life Service will be conducted on Monday February 10, 2025, at Pulliam Funeral Home in Robinson, IL with Pastor Bill Ikemire officiating. Donna's mortal remains will be laid to rest with her family. There will be a visitation on Monday February 10, 2025, from 2;00 pm until the service at 3:00 pm at Pulliam Funeral Home.