Dorothy Mae Donar

Our beloved mother, Dorothy Mae Donar, 89, of Hartford, CT, passed on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Dorothy was the daughter of the late Jlynn White and Catherine Holmes Barnes. She was born and raised in Panama City, FL, where she graduated from Rosewald High School with the distinction of salutatorian. Dorothy married her high school sweetheart, Leathmon (Lee) Donar, Sr., whom she was married to for over 50 years before his passing in 2012. The two relocated to Connecticut as a young couple with their infant son, Lee Jr., seeking greater opportunities. She was affectionately known as "Dotty" or "Aunt Dot" by her family and friends. Aunt Dot was famous for her southern hospitality and culinary skills. In her later years, she found great satisfaction in caring for the elderly as a home health aide. She cherished her role as a caretaker and grandmother. Her faith was very important to her, as was living a life of integrity. Dorothy was a devout Jehovah Witness. She enjoyed reading the Word and expressing her devotion to Jehovah. Dorothy was a firm believer in expressing gratitude when any kind deed was done. Her hobbies were cooking and crocheting. Dorothy and Lee, Sr., enjoyed watching baseball together, with Lee being a die-hard Yankee's fan and Dotty cheering on her favorite player, "Papi," David Ortiz, a player on the Red Sox baseball team. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, Leathmon Donar, Sr., and son, Leathmon Donar, Jr., as well as her parents. Dorothy leaves her children to celebrate her life: Hiram Donar, Sr., of Hartford; Lora Donar of Windsor; and Glen Donar (Denise) of Manchester; her five grandchildren, Hiram, Jr., Nikki, Chinwe, Cordae and Ryan; five great-grandchildren, Hamir, Chance, Brea, Alayah Nisa, and Ava; her three siblings, two sisters, Jennie Lee Carroll (Ft. Myers) and Vivian Phillips (Calhoun), her brother, Ellis Barnes (Detroit); three sisters-in-law, Zola Mae Williams (Denver), Elizabeth Donar (Windsor), and Cora Donar (Panama City); she leaves a host of relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy, please visit our floral store.