Donna Lee Safranek

DONNA L. SAFRANEK
1934 - 2024
Donna Lee Safranek (nee Francis); Age 89, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, of Waterford, Michigan, was taken home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Saturday, November 9, 2024. She departed from this world peacefully, in her home, surrounded by her children. She was born in Fremont, Ohio, on November 29, 1934, to Laurel and Marian (nee Stadler) Francis. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Fremont, in 1952, and received a BFA degree from Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, in 1956. She lived in Ohio until after her marriage to Francis E. Safranek, when they moved to Michigan.
Donna is remembered, by her children, as a nurturing mother who created a real sense of wonderment. She was very artistic, enjoying drawing in her youth, crafting in motherhood, and producing elaborate hand-crafted Christmas ornaments during retirement. She enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, listening to talk shows, and following politics. Although hesitant at first, she enjoyed novel experiences with her children. In her later years she enjoyed experiencing the world via the glow of her iPad.
She retired from Rochester Community Schools after 18 years of caring for elementary age children, before and after school hours, at several school locations.
She attended St. Andrews Catholic Church in Rochester, and later, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Troy. She often reminded others that God is not only a loving God, but that He is also a holy God, and she believed the most important question everyone will ever answer is Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" from Matthew 16:15, Mark 8:29, and Luke 9:20. Donna walked with the Lord, by faith, (Habukkuk 2:4) and encouraged her children to do the same.
She was lovingly referred to as "LOL" (Little Old Lady) by her children, and affectionately known as Omah, by her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Arthur (Ruth) and David Francis, and sister, Marcia Darmstadt, as well as her son, Mark, who was a twin to Matthew.
She is survived by her sons, Timothy, Jerome (Ginger Jeffrey), and Matthew (Susan), and her daughter, Leza (Thomas) Groters; grandchildren, Sarah (Simeon Kostadinov) Safranek, Marcus (Sydney) Safranek, and Luke Safranek; and great grandchild, Luka Kostadinov. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Nancy Francis, and her brother-in-law, David Darmstadt, both of Ohio, as well as many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.
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Obituary written by her family.
Arrangements by SIMPLE FUNERALS (248-227-1954)
Please share a memory and/or sign her guest book at www.SimpleFunerals.net