Marjorie Valli Donahue

Marj was born on May 9, 1921, in Milwaukee and led an interesting life. Her parents were Dr. Van Smith and Cora Hubinger Smith. She had one brother, Loris. The family owned Hubinger Laundry, Van was a dentist and Cora owned many apartment buildings in the city. The family’s summer home on Pewaukee Lake was an important part of Marj’s childhood memories. Marj attended Skidmore College out east and finished her Bachelor of Arts Degree at UW-Madison. Marj was an adventurous soul, an artist in many media (her artist name was Jorie), home designer, had a strong interest in family genealogy, traveler, golfer, lover of dogs and repairer of broken dolls. Wherever she lived, she volunteered for the humane society and library. She drove cross-country many times with her dog, Fred, between Wisconsin and her home in Lake Tahoe. Over the years, she designed and built four homes, in Minnesota, Oconomowoc, Green Lake and Emmet, Wisconsin. She was spunky, funny and strong-willed (as anyone who knew Marj will testify!), loved talking with people and loved children. When you live to be 98 many of your family and friends have passed on, and Marj never let that get her down. Marj had dementia in her later years, and through it all she found beauty and interest in each day. Marj has three children. Mark (Heidi) Donahue, Terry (June Herman – Marj’s special friend) Donahue, and Noelle (Steven Perry) Donahue, as well as her granddaughter Moena Donahue Squire. The family will have a private burial, as Marj requested. In Marj’s memory, be kind to one another, pet a dog, and smile.