Mary Donahue

Mary June Donahue, 87, of Duluth, passed away Sunday, May 9, 2021, at the Benedictine Living Community surrounded by her family. Mary was born in Duluth on March 13, 1934 and was a graduate of Denfeld High School. She married Thomas Donahue in Duluth on June 25, 1952. Mary worked as a legal secretary, Diocese of Duluth in their law branch, and retired from MN DOT where she was an executive assistant. Mary was a member of St. James Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Duluth Professional Women’s Association where she was past president. She enjoyed golfing at Big Lake Golf Course, bowling at Stadium Lanes, reading, ceramics, traveling the world, and wintering in Sun City, Arizona. Mary volunteered at the Depot, Duluth Children’s Museum, Benedictine Health Center and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucien Deriemaeker and Francis Adela Deriemaeker-Benson; two sons, David and Jim Donahue; two sisters, Phyllis Ballantyne and Judith Gucinski; and brother, Duane Deriemaeker. Mary is survived by her husband of 69 years, Thomas; two daughters, Jean Donahue (Charlie) Leibfried and Kathy Donahue (Mark) Kirby; a sister, Patricia Deriemaeker Sundeen (partner Ann Estes); 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Visitation 10 am until the 11 am Mass of Christian Burial Friday, May 14, 2021, at St. James Catholic Church, 721 North 57th Ave West, Rev Fr Seamus Walsh officiating. Burial will be in Oneota Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to American Cancer Society, Duluth Public Library “Every Child Ready Program” or the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank would be appreciated. Due to Covid, no reception will follow. Family requests that you wear your mask at the visitation and Mass. The Mass will be live streamed on the Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Facebook home page. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.