Donna Mae Wright's Obituary
Donna Mae Wright (nee Day) passed away Saturday, July 29, 2023, at her home in Norton Shores. She was born November 30, 1930, to Percy and Lucille (Simon) Day in Superior, WI, and moved to the Muskegon area in 1951.
She became an X-ray technician at Hackley Hospital. Donna married Eugene Wright in 1953 then left hospital work the following year to nurture her family of seven children: Michael (Diane), Daniel (deceased) Lillie, Mary, Steven (Kristine), William (Roxanne), Mark, and John.
In 1959, Gene and Donna, pregnant with William, moved into their modest ranch house. This was home where she raised her children and lived until the day she died. It was also the home where she entertained her 22 grandchildren: Alex (Emma), Anthony, Melissa (Josh), Angie (deceased), Lisa (Mike), Timothy (Stephanie), Anthony, Mario, Eric (Brianna), Chad (Lydia), Steven (Abby), James, Autumn, Allison, Michelle (Fred), Jennifer (Anthony), Andrew (Erin), Chaz (Abby) Carly (Jake), Charlotte, Michael (Tara), and David; and her great-grandchildren: Adrianna, Logan, Liam, Memphis, Auralia, Casyn, Sedona, Harper, Olivia, Harrison, Anderson, Reese, Izzy, Adeline, Levi, Dexter, Sophia, Addison, Emma, Caitlyn, and Steven.
In 1974, by chance, Donna offered to bring a bright 18-year-old Grand Valley student to Mass. Hien Pham’s family was desperate to escape South Vietnam, where her father worked in the government that was about to fall. Working with a group from Cursillo, Donna secured passage for Hien’s mom, dad, and her ten siblings, and settled the family in the Muskegon area. Hien and her siblings went on to become doctors, engineers, and contributing members in America. The Phams and Wrights blended into a family.
Donna was a faithful and devoted member of St. Michaels Catholic Church, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, and Covenant Community Church RCA.
She was involved in social justice causes too numerous to count. She was also devoted to Cursillo, her Morningstar group, and her Quest group.
An avid card player from Bridge to Farkle, Donna gained a ruthless reputation on what became “card playing Tuesdays”. Family and friends, dozens can recall stories of defeat at the hands of Donna and Gene.
She was preceded in death by husband Eugene in 2014, her parents, her son Dan, granddaughter Angie, brother Jack, and her sister Carole. She is also survived by her sister Janet. A service to celebrate and remember Donna’s life will be held Thursday, August 10, at 1:00 PM at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Wright may be made to Covenant Community Church, the Coalition for Community Development, Community Encompass, or Step Up Housing.
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