Donna Helene Hearne

April 16, 1940 - June 23, 2020

Donna Helene Hearne June 23, 2020 April 16, 1940 – June 23, 2020 Donna Helene Hearne (O’Connor/Riley) was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 16, 1940. On June 23, after a brief illness, Donna Hearne (“Nonna” to her fifteen grandchildren) left the shadowlands, as C.S. Lewis described this life, to enter eternity with her Heavenly Father. Donna spent the last weeks of her life in her cottage in Leland, Michigan, surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren, and family. Donna leaves behind her best friend, trusted advisor, and the love of her life, Mark F. Hearne, who was her husband for more than sixty-one years. Donna is also survived by her and Mark’s five children, Mark F. (Thor) Hearne II, Samuel (Sam) Mitchell Hearne, Matthew (Matt) Hill Hearne, Elizabeth Cory (Libby) Wilkinson and Sarah Granderson Revel and their spouses Susan, Terri, Sheryl, Bruce Wilkinson, and JP Revel. Donna is also survived by her fourteen grandchildren whom she dearly loved. Thor’s daughters, Amelia and Elise. Sam’s daughters, Grace, and Jacqueline. Matt’s children, Lauren and Cannon. Libby’s children, Scripps, Rand, Ella, Annie, and Kit Wilkinson and Sarah’s children, Evie, Fern, and Ingrid Revel. Donna is also survived by her brothers Ron Riley and Art and Al O’Connor and her sister Ruth Grote. Donna’s sisters Phyllis Horner, Peggy Vermillian, and Donna’s grandson, James Hearne predeceased her in death. Especially during the last days of her illness, Donna told her family how much she looked forward to her reunion with them. Donna graduated from John Burroughs School in St. Louis, attended Carlton College, and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis. Donna lived a full and rewarding life of service to her family, friends, and our nation. All who knew Donna knew she would find any occasion to tell you of her love of her Savior Jesus and of Christ’s love for us. For many years Donna enjoyed leading the Leland Summer Bible Study and cherished this time studying scripture with both old and new friends. Donna was a faithful member of Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church in St. Louis and enjoyed worshipping at Northport Covenant Church. But Donna also knew and affirmed that her hope and faith were not in her accomplishments but in the work of her Savior Jesus Christ. Leland, Michigan played a large role in Donna’s life and the lives of her family. Though a resident of St. Louis, Missouri, Donna grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan during the summers with her siblings, cousins, parents, and grandparents. This led to decades of wonderful memories and an enduring close relationship between all of the family. Leland also provided Donna the opportunity to pursue her love of painting and sailing while sharing the Michigan summers with her family and friends. Donna never missed an opportunity to keep her family close. Her phone calls and messages always began, “Hi love”, followed by an invitation to dinner. Throughout her life, Donna had a deep love for the principles our nation was founded on. Donna was passionate about education and the teaching of those founding principles. This passion led to her founding the Constitutional Coalition and the Front Line, which was distributed statewide. The Coalition also hosted an annual education conference for 31 years with national speakers. For the past 36 years, one could listen to Donna every Monday as she hosted a radio show on KSIV in St. Louis. While her family and friends are deeply saddened by Donna’s passing, they are comforted by the confidence and assurance that Donna is now in glory with her Savior, and her family is assured of the certainty that we will be reunited with her in Heaven. Donna was dearly loved while she was with us and the memory of her life and accomplishments will continue to inspire her family and all who knew her. Services: A memorial service will be held July 3rd in Leland, Michigan at the Leland Lodge at 4:00 pm. The family will hold a private burial in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 10th to be followed by a service celebrating the life of Donna at Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church, 1230 Big Bend Road, St. Louis, MO 63021, at 7:00 pm, with a time to visit with family afterward. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Donna Hearne Memorial Fund, Constitutional Coalition, or to Samaritan’s Purse. Arrangements by Lupton Chapel.