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BORN
1939
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
Lawrence Donohue Obituary
Larry was born January 22, 1939 in Tacoma, WA to John Joseph Donohue and Marion Gertrude Hooper. He joined older brother, Patrick, who predeceased him in 1959.
Larry attended Holy Rosary school in Tacoma and Bellarmine High School where he was selected Salutatorian. He attended undergraduate at Seattle University and met his wife, Susan Gwinn. They traveled to Wisconsin and Larry attended Marquette University for medical school, graduating in 1964. In his OB/GYN residency at Johns Hopkins University he was appointed Chief Resident.
He entered the military on the Berry plan and was stationed at Madigan. There he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for work in Colposcopy and Laparoscopy.
He continued his medical career at the University of Washington as an instructor. He was named head of Gynecology at Harborview Medical Center. After 4 years, he joined Seattle Women's Clinic. He was Chief of Obstetrics for two terms at Swedish Medical Center and served on the Swedish Hospital Board as physician representative twice. In October of 1995, he left Seattle Women's Clinic for Regence Blue Shield as an associate medical director and served as a Physician Ombudsman.
Larry's greatest treasure was his family. His greatest love was his wife of 55 years, Susan, and his five children. Good friends and family surrounded him. He is predeceased by two daughters, Lauren and Moira. Following Lauren's death, he and Susan led a bereaved parent's support group at St. Bridget's Catholic Church for many years.
As a physician and a teacher, he had a reputation for his compassionate care and was an advocate for his patients who he treated with utmost respect, care, and excellence. This year, he was appointed Clinical Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington.
He modeled dignity and grace as he tenaciously battled 4 cancers over 20 years. He researched and educated himself to help plan his treatments always knowing that what he learned would help those facing these cancers after him.
He aspired to live his life by the words in his favorite prayer, the Prayer of St. Francis. He filled his retirement working for RESULTS, a group which ensures equal access to health, education, and economic opportunities worldwide. He modeled selfless work for his children and grand-children, encouraging them to fund businesses in 3rd world countries through KIVA accounts.
Larry is survived by his wife, Susan; son Dan Donohue (Meg), and their daughter, Maddie; daughter, Carrie Morris (Dan) and their children, Henry, Emma, and Josephine; and son, Tom Donohue and his children, Laurence and Julia; Moira Quint's (Bob) children, Meghan (Brian), Jack (Jillian), Joan (Nate), and Bernadette (Erik); and 4 great grandchildren.
Remembrances are suggested to RESULTS Educational Fund (REF) or Senior Jesuits-Oregon Province Aged and Infirm Trust PO Box 86010 Portland, OR 97286-0010
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, August 12th, 11 AM at St. Bridget Catholic Church
4900 N E 50th St., Seattle 98105
Hoffner Fisher & Harvey
Guest book at harveyfuneral.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Donohue
Sponsored by The Family.
Diana Harvey
August 3, 2023
Many years ago, after the death of my daughter Hannah, I became a regular at the bereaved parent support group at St. Bridget’s. Larry spoke so honestly and compassionately about his own experience after Lauren’s death. That humanity was a life-line for me. Thank you, Larry.
Lynn Regudon
September 8, 2015
As a patient of Dr. Donohue until he left practice, I found him always warm, making the annual unpleasant exam worthwhile. He was one of the first to send his clinic notes to his patients, which, as a medical record person, I greatly appreciated. He tried making hormone therapy for hot flashes as close to the real hormone patterns as possible. When I went elsewhere after he retired, I found that to be unusual, and I came to fervently appreciate his approach to prescribe the lowest doses possible. I deeply missed him when he left practice. He was very special. My deepest condolences to his family.
August 20, 2015
Larry, You were a good friend and I will miss
you. I will never forget our S.U. tour to Europe in 1958 with you. All the Fun times.
Frank Buono
Connie Cummings
August 13, 2015
As a former patient of Dr. Donohue's I know 1st hand that he was a good physician & a kind man. I've never found that same combination since. We shared a love of Ireland, exchanging stories about our trips & comparing Claddaugh rings. A truly pleasant soul & wonderful human being! He made a difference in my life & I will always think of him fondly.
Sue Stronk
August 13, 2015
Sorry to read of my good doctor's passing. I was a patient of his for many years at Seattle Women's clinic--and he was always happy, pleasant, caring and professional. And most of all personable!! If going to a gyno annually can ever be a pleasant experience--he made it as pleasant as can be! Rest in peace good doctor--I missed you when you quit! You made the world a better place.
August 12, 2015
Because of Larry we have our daughter Molly. I can see it as if it was yesterday. After being advised by one physician of the high risks of permanent disability with our unborn child, Larry and my husband Gerard sat at the foot of my bed thinking I was sleeping. They discussed how deep inside their faith was telling them that our baby girl would be okay. They were right, she was the 1.5% margin of error. She is now a wonderful 29 yo wife, mother, sister and daughter - all because of Larry. Thank you so much for your faith and skill. you will be missed.
August 11, 2015
I had the honor of sharing call with Dr. Donohue for many years. He was a wonderful and caring partner. and friend. He will be terribly missed. Dr. Douglas DerYuen
Melessa Rogers
August 11, 2015
For all of the Seattle RESULTS volunteers, I want to express our deep sadness for the passing of Dr. Donohue. Larry was a thoughtful, kind and generous soul. He brought insight into his advocacy for hunger and poverty issues, helping our group be more effective. We will miss his strength and strive to build on our shared hope for a world free of suffering for all people.
My sincere condolences to his family and many friends.
Marion Curley Sheil
August 10, 2015
Happy memories of Larry Susan and their family visiting Larry s Cousins at his Fathers birth place .Rip Larry
John Marshall
August 9, 2015
What a caring and giving doctor -- a true model for his profession...Larry brought my two children (Thatcher, 1987: Samantha, 1990) into this world and, for that, I will forever be grateful to him....
John Marshall
Bainbridge Island
Diana Kilsheimer
August 9, 2015
When my daughter, Hannah, died in 1997, I was fortunate to find the bereaved parents group at St. Bridget's. Larry, most especially, was the greatest source of kindness, honesty and humor for me and I have never forgotten that and loved him for it. Susan, you're in my thoughts and heart. Diana
Tim and Jennifer Van Hulle
August 9, 2015
Larry was a wonderful person and role model, living his life with joy and care for others. He will truly be missed. Our sincere sympathy to his family and everyone mourning his loss. He will be remembered with love by many!
Hazel Singer
August 9, 2015
I was saddened to learn of Dr. Donohue's passing. He was a kind, caring physician who treated his patients with grace and dignity. He was my physician from 1974 til 1995. He brought the greatest joy into the lives of my husband and me when he delivered our two children: the whole experience throughout my pregnancies and deliveries were all a person could ask and hope for. On the few occasions I ran into him in public after his "retirement", he always had a smile and a good word: while I know I was one of many hundreds of patients, he always made me feel that I was that special patient he enjoyed catching up with. My husband and I wish his family healthy, long lives.
Our sympathies and best wishes,
-Hazel Singer and John Griffiths.
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