Donna Foley

MONTICELLO - Donna L. Foley, 64, of Monticello passed away peacefully at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, on March 25, 2025, with her husband at her side.

The daughter of Donald L. and Lola J. Gronewold, Donna was born Jan. 18, 1961, in Park Ridge. She married John D. Foley on Nov. 23, 1984, in Urbana.

She is survived by her husband; two sons, John "Jack" Foley Jr. of Charleston and Benjamin (Juliette) Foley of Norfolk, Va.; one daughter, Emily (Brandon Isaac) Foley of San Jose, Calif.; one grandchild, Evelyn Foley; and one sister, Sandra Brown of Lake Zurich. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Mary Lou Kinney.

Donna grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and graduated from West Leyden High School in 1979, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1983, and earned her MBA at the University of Illinois at Springfield in 2016. Education was very important to Donna and she liked to set an example for her children.

Donna spent her married life being a loving wife, dedicated mother and devoted daughter. While raising their family, she worked in several startup companies in Champaign and then spent 23 years at the UI in public affairs, student affairs, the College of Business and finally the College of Engineering; her last position being managing director of the Advanced Digital Science Center, before retiring in 2019.

She was a dedicated member and officer of many organizations, including the Mahomet-Seymour and Monticello Area Educational Foundations. She served as a officer with Omicron Chapter of Chi Omega. Donna enjoyed working in her yard and traveling. During her lifetime, Donna visited 37 countries, 40 states and 24 national parks.

But nothing meant more to her than spending time with her family, whose stomachs she lovingly kept filled, hearts she fiercely cheered on in celebration, and supported in struggle, and stories she carefully collected to build a history to pass on to the next generation.

The family would like to thank the palliative and hospice staff of Carle Foundation Hospital, especially the nurses on Tower 7 North, for their exceptional care.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Monticello Area Educational Foundation. Condolences may be sent to the family at mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com or caringbridge.org.