Virginia "Kate" Donner

Kate Donner was born Virginia Catherine Hill on July 21, 1953, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her parents were George J. Hill (1919-2013) of Yonkers, New York, and Helen Dorothy Dowd (1922-1995) of Glen Cove, New York. She joined her older sister, Judy, and brother, Chris, the day before his third birthday.
In 1956, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan, and then in 1958 to Cleveland, Ohio, where Kate began school at St. Mary's in Berea. On the first day of school, she fondly remembered the teacher calling out the name "Virginia" - she did not raise her hand because she only knew herself as "Kate." In 1962, when she was 9 years old, her twin brothers, George and Fred, were born, and thus began her lifelong love of children. She became their "Little Mom." As the boys started talking, "Kate" came out as "Attoo," a nickname loved and later used with her grandchildren.
She graduated from North Olmsted High School in 1971. While in high school, she met her future husband, Larry Donner. They were married on Nov. 26, 1971. They brought two daughters into the world, Dorothy Lynn in 1972 and Dawn Marie in 1975. In her early years, she worked in credit and then in customer service in the timeshare industry, earning a couple of cruises for a job well done.
After retiring, Kate devoted herself to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren - and to all things Disney. She amassed a large collection of Disney memorabilia and even nicknamed her first granddaughter "Mouse." She attended Grandparents University at Oklahoma State University with her granddaughter Ahayla, sharing that experience with her sister Judy and other friends who also attended with their grandchildren. In 2012, her dad, George, came to spend his last year of life with her and Larry. She took great joy from being able to spend that year caring for him.
She later joined her sister Judy as a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in 2019 and served as Corresponding Secretary for one year. She enjoyed attending the monthly meetings, helping to plan some of them, and was proud to be the descendant of an American Patriot.
Kate is survived by her husband of almost 54 years, Larry Donner of Westlake, Ohio, along with:
Daughter Dorothy Mighell
Granddaughter Mary Catherine Mighell and her partner, Gilbert Rocha
Great-granddaughters Layla Skyler Mighell, Bellamie Xochitl Rocha and
Xitlali Guadalupe Catalina Rocha
Grandson Larry Mighell
Daughter Dawn Roberts
Granddaughter Ahalya Jaida Roberts
She also leaves behind her four siblings: Judy Hill Fritz (widowed), Chris and his wife, Sue Hill; George and his wife, Anne Hill; and Fred and his wife, Katy Hill; along with 10 nieces and nephews and five great-nieces and great-nephews.
Their home was always filled with children, pets, and - most of all - love. Kate was a shining example of a kind, giving and loving individual. Everyone loved her. She never turned down anyone in need of help. Kate passed away on November 10, 2025 and will be missed dearly by all who knew her.
Celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Reception to follow.
First United Methodist Church
1200 E. Yellow Jacket Lane
Rockwall, Texas 75087
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to:
Dfwrescueme.org in her name.