Donna Jo Whalen

1969 - 2022

Donna Jo Whalen
August 11, 1969 - November 9, 2022
Ocean Springs, Mississippi - Donna Jo (Gospodareck) Whalen, 53, of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, passed away on Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. She was born to Don and Gay Gospodareck, on August 11th, 1969 in Birmingham, Alabama. She was married to Thomas Anthony Whalen on May 16, 1998 and had four children who were her entire world.
Donna graduated from Shades Valley High School in 1987. She went on to study Early Childhood Education at Auburn University, earning a Bachelor of Science in 1992 and a Master of Science in 1994. She worked as an elementary school teacher for several years, primarily at Charlotte Hyatt Elementary School in Moss Point, Mississippi where she was awarded Teacher of the Year for the 2001-2002 school year.
Donna was a beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. She was happiest when surrounded by her family. She was a passionate Auburn football fan, and she loved watching her daughter, Bryonna, in the Auburn University Marching Band. Her sons are part of Boy Scouts of America Troop 271, and Donna loved spending time with them through her role serving as the Advancement Chair Coordinator.
Donna is survived by: her husband, Tom Whalen; son, Tommy Whalen and his wife (Donna's "daughter-in-love") Cally; daughter, Bryonna Whalen; son, Joseph Whalen; son, Jacob Whalen; father, Don Gospodareck; aunt, Jean Raines Gospodareck; and cousins, Victoria Mace, Robert Limbaugh, and Craig Limbaugh. She is also survived by her four fur babies: Noelle, Moose, Leo, and Pearl.
Donna is preceded in death by: her mother, Gay Ousley Gospodareck; her siblings, Kimberly and Bubba; her maternal grandparents, Martin and Olga Ousley; and her paternal grandparents, Kenneth and Josephine Gospodareck.
A visitation for friends and family was held at the Riemann Family Funeral Home in West Jackson County on Saturday, November 12th, 2022 at 12:30pm, followed by a funeral service at 2:00pm. Burial followed at Crestlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, located at 4111 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564.
Family and friends wore their Auburn apparel in support of Donna Jo and her family.
The West Jackson County location of Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd, is proud to serve the family. Memories, condolences and photos can be shared on the tribute wall at www.riemannfamily.com.