Donna Jean Blackburn
June 22, 1941 - May 14, 2017
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Donna Jean Blackburn
June 22, 1941 - May 14, 2017
Obituary
Donna Jean (Naugler) Blackburn, 75, passed away on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, 2017 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee after a long, hard battle with Lung cancer.
Having won this fight over 20 years ago, giving up was never an option for her and she remained a fighter until the very end. Donna was born on June 22, 1941 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and moved to Detroit, Michigan at the age of five and then in 1965, moved to Goodrich, Michigan to raise her four children. In 1974, she moved to Gladwin, Michigan and called it home for the past 43 years. She was fiercely independent and enjoyed the outdoors. She had a passion and talent for art and photography, winning many local and state contests to include having her work titled “The Little Fisherman” licensed and produced as a collectible by Zolan Industries. Above all else, she loved her family and took great pride in all her grandchildren. She never met a stranger, and life experience gave her a unique compassion for others. She was our mother, our NaNa, our Gram, our sister, and our friend – we will miss her greatly and always.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Gordon Scott Naugler and Dorothy Opal (Keddy) Naugler, her brothers Desmond Naugler and Jimmy Naugler. Donna is survived by her four children, Deanna (Richard) Bailey of Michigan, Jonny (Ann) Grigorian of Virginia, Dawun (Jose) Narcio of Tennessee, and James Blackburn of Michigan; Siblings, Linda Neilson, Brenda Holderbaum, Arlene “Jo Jo” (Steven) Reynolds, Wayne Naugler, and Noreen Hunter-Riley; 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 1pm on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at the Oak Grove Log Community Church, 5636 Cedar Lake Road, Gladwin, MI 48624. Immediately after the memorial service, a lunch will be served at the church’s hall so we can get together and remember Donna’s life.
9 responses to Donna Jean Blackburn
Robin G Naugler says:
June 16, 2017
1 file added to the tribute wall
Brenda Holderbaum says:
June 17, 2017
Lit a candle in memory of Donna Jean Blackburn
Jojo Naugler-Reynoldd says:
June 17, 2017
Donna was my oldest sister she hated when I would refure to her”‹ as (oldest)! When I was younger I spent a lot of time at their house and Donna would act like my mother! I learned a lot from her! We had a lot of fun, one day she let me ride my horse(pony) right into her living room. I’ll miss you, thank you for all the memories. love your little sister jojo
Jojo Reynolds says:
June 22, 2017
Lit a candle in memory of Donna Jean Blackburn