Memories of Donna Blanche DeVinney

In memory of

Donna Blanche DeVinney

Chelsea, MI, USA

October 13, 1931 - September 5, 2020

Oct 13, 1931 - Sep 5, 2020

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Victoria DeVinney

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Pinned

Music for service: It is Well With My Soul

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Victoria DeVinney

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Music for service: Precious Lord, Take Me Home

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Victoria DeVinney

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Music for service: God of the Sparrow

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$735.00

Raised by 7 people

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Dennis DeVinney

As a kid I went to the DeVinney family reunions at Fife Lake and then Idy and I and our kids went. At some point the family reunions stopped and when we retired we thought it would be nice to go back to the lake for a week or two. We called Donna and asked if we might rent the cottage. She was delighted we wanted to use the cottage saying it wasn't used much. She wouldn't give us a price for renting so we gave her what she would take and over the years she never charged so we would pay for some things and do various projects. Donna was very gracious and loved to hear about the good times we had at the cottage at Fife Lake.

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Karen DeVinney

Comments:

Victoria DeVinney

Yes, Donna was very happy that the cottage was being used by other family members, and she (and all of us)... Read more Yes, Donna was very happy that the cottage was being used by other family members, and she (and all of us) are grateful for all... Read more Yes, Donna was very happy that the cottage was being... Read more

Sarah Holdeman

Enjoying a ride on the pontoon boat at Fife Lake

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Comments:

Victoria DeVinney

What a cute picture! Thank you, Sarah! What a cute picture! Thank you, Sarah! What a cute picture! Thank you, Sarah!

Roger Stutesman

I'm Roger; Donna is my sister.
Sisterhood has taken on various meanings over the years. Each meaning tells a story. In my case, the stories of sisterhood take place in various locales, from the Pennines of England, to the parking lot of Madison Ave. church in Bay City, to a TV room, to the basement of the house on Daybrook.
The Pennines are what we would call really high hills, but the English would call them mountains. Having driven in them with Donna, Bob, and Timothy, I'd lean toward the English description. Donna had invited me to join them in an auto tour of England, a nice sisterly act, which aided us both as I was experienced in driving there.
The church parking lot moment was on a Sunday morning, of course, after the church service. I'd been visiting friends in Ohio the previous day and I had an open box in my car which contained a "gift" from that visit. I told the four DeVinney children I wanted to show them something. We went to my car and I showed them the cute puppy. Donna's brother (me) then said something that could've ended our relationship forever. I said, "Would you like to have it?" Being children, and the puppy being cute, they naturally pleaded to have it. Donna, being a good sister, didn't get angry with me. She let them have it and let me continue to be her brother.
The TV room was playing episodes of "Fry and Laurie," and Donna and I could watch those for hours, no matter in whose home they were shown. English humor was one of our brother-sister bonds.
The Daybrook house basement was my "home" for a short time, my having moved from Ohio to a job in Saginaw. It took me a short time to find an apartment, and during those days my sister let me sleep in their basement. A very nice sisterly act. It was a very comfortable basement.
The story of Donna, not as a sister, but as a person, is a story of family, the Methodist church, political awareness and activity, throw in a bit of adventure in foreign lands, a bit of loving literature, and a touch of bridge.
I'm sure Donna would feel that when you need her now, put your arms around anyone and give them what you would need to give her. And she'd ask that you'd look for her in the people she's known or loved, that she'd live in your eyes.
It is a holy thing to love, a holy thing to love what death has touched.
Donna was loved. She'll be missed.
Roger Stutesman

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Comments:

Karen DeVinney

So wonderful, Roger! Thanks for sharing. That must have been Chum in the box. So wonderful, Roger! Thanks for sharing. That must have been Chum in the box. So wonderful, Roger! Thanks for sharing. That must ... Read more

Victoria DeVinney

2013, Wales, UK

Donna and her sons

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Joslyn DeVinney

Victoria DeVinney

2013, Wales, UK

Timothy, Donna and Bramble

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Karen DeVinney

1953

Wedding day.

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Joslyn DeVinney

Comments:

Karen DeVinney

And no, I could never fit into that dress. And no, I could never fit into that dress. And no, I could never fit into that dress.

Victoria DeVinney

2011, Russia

Sarah's trip with Grandma; on the Volga

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Victoria DeVinney

2010, Italy

Katie's trip with Grandma; Verrazano Castle Garden

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Victoria DeVinney

2009, Machu Picchu, Peru

Sam's trip with Grandma; hiking to Machu Picchu

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Victoria DeVinney

2008, Black Forest, Germany

Ben's trip with Grandma; St. Peter's Church

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Victoria DeVinney

2007, Alaska, USA

Nick's trip with Grandma; near Mendenhall Glacier

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Victoria DeVinney

2004, London, UK

Joslyn's trip with Grandma

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Comments:

Victoria DeVinney

St. Paul's Cathedral in the background St. Paul's Cathedral in the background St. Paul's Cathedral in the background

Joanne Stutesman

2020, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Donna and siblings celebrating Roger's birthday in February

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Comments:

Victoria DeVinney

Ah, yes, Donna had developed Bell's Palsy a few days before this photo was taken. Her smile came back within... Read more Ah, yes, Donna had developed Bell's Palsy a few days before this photo was taken. Her smile came back within a couple of months:)... Read more Ah, yes, Donna had developed Bell's Palsy a few days... Read more

Joslyn DeVinney

Bay City, MI, USA

Donna, Bob, Timothy, Robin, Loren, and Karen at 4099 Daybrook

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Joslyn DeVinney

Karen DeVinney

Joanne Stutesman

Comments:

Karen DeVinney

Jos! Thanks so much for adding these photos! Jos! Thanks so much for adding these photos! Jos! Thanks so much for adding these photos!

Phoebe Lutz

The house is still there. It was never the same without you guys in it. The house is still there. It was never the same without you guys in it. The house is still there. It was never the same without... Read more

Joslyn DeVinney

Christmas 1990

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Joanne Stutesman

Joslyn DeVinney

2009, Midland, MI, USA

Blurry Christmas cookies with Nick, Donna, Ben and Katie

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Comments:

Karen DeVinney

The grandkids loved the Christmas cookie tradition! The grandkids loved the Christmas cookie tradition! The grandkids loved the Christmas cookie tradition!... Read more