Donna Mae Sills

Donna Sills was a woman who always saw the good in people, and helped them see it, too. She was such a kind, compassionate woman, a nurse by profession, and a caregiver by choice. Donna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and a woman who always made us feel better. We were so much better just by knowing her. Donnas story began on a warm spring day in 1929, in the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were good days in this country, in the twilight of the Roaring 20s, and the calm before the terrible storm of the Great Depression later that fall. On May 1, 1929, Cornelius and Nellie (Brace) Cooper celebrated the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Donna Mae. Donna joined her older brother Gerald in the familys Fifth Street home in Muskegon, where her dad worked as an accountant for CWC Foundry, and her mom was a happy homemaker. It was quite a happy home Donna enjoyed as a child, a fun childhood filled with ice skating and roller skating, piano lessons and life lessons, too. The family was faithful members of the Bethany Christian Reformed Church, where her lifelong faith was formed, and she was also a good student at Christian Elementary School. Donna eventually attended Muskegon High School, where she met a handsome young classmate named Raymond Sills. The sparks flew between them, and before they knew it, they were high school sweethearts. It didnt take Donna long to know Ray was the one for her. The couple dated all through school, and even after they graduated from Muskegon High. Ray headed off to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, while Donna stayed in Muskegon to attend the Hackley School of Nursing. When she earned her Registered Nurse certification, Donna and Ray were married, on February 8, 1950, at Bethany Christian Reformed Church, beginning a beautiful life together. In May of that year Donna graduated from Nursing School. The newlyweds settled in Ann Arbor while Ray finished his degree in Architecture, and Donna worked part-time as a nurse at the University of Michigan Hospital. Soon shed have a more important role, however: mother. The couple celebrated the birth of their first child later in 1950, with their son James. Their daughter Nancy followed in Ann Arbor in 1953. When Ray finished his degree, the growing family packed up and moved back to Muskegon, and lived in Ruddiman Terrace Apartments for a time. The couple added their daughter Jean in 1956, and their son Robert rounded out the very happy family in 1958. Later that year, Donna and Ray moved into their home on Pontaluna Road in Fruitport, where they would share so many wonderful memories, raise their family, and live the rest of their days. Over the next two decades, Ray and Donna made many improvements and additions to their home, with Ray doing all the construction work himself. They added a patio and a beautiful pool in the backyard, which became the central hub for so many great summertime events and gatherings for family and friends over the years. Donna was famous for her fish boils at their many pool parties, ensuring everyone had a great time and was well-fed, too. She was a great cook, who loved to bake and made delicious desserts. The family was also faithful members of the Fruitport Christian Reformed Church, where Donna would make many friends over the nearly 50 years she was a member there. Donna stayed at home while her children were young, but she returned to work in the mid-1960s, becoming an RN at Hackley Hospital. Donna worked in the Nursery, taking care of the newborn children and their mothers. She loved her work, and it was an ideal career choice, being the kind and compassionate woman she was. Donna worked at Hackley for over 20 years, taking her well-deserved retirement in the mid-80s. She and Ray then began to travel more, and wintered in Cape Coral, Florida for many years, where they made many good friends. Donna loved it there, and loved to sit in the Florida sun, reading the mystery novels she enjoyed so much and always had on hand. In 1998, Donnas beloved husband was diagnosed with cancer, and sadly he died later that year. Donna took his loss understandably hard, and joined some support groups to get through it all. She remained independent living in their Fruitport home, and stayed active by joining senior groups. She traveled all around the country on trips with her groups, often joined by her sister-in-law Elma. Most of all, Donna loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, who always brightened her days. She loved spending time with them all, and closely followed their activities over the years. Donna eventually began to battle her own health problems, yet always seemed to manage them very well. Then, in January of 2008, Donna began having serious heart problems, which required surgery. She never truly recovered, and despite fighting braveley, died at Hackley Hospital on February 24, 2008, at the age of 78. Donna was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life full of family and fond memories. Donna was a nurse by profession, a caregiver by choice, and a friend to so many over the years. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who loved her family more than anything. Most of all, Donna always saw the good in people, and helped us to see it, too. She will be greatly missed. Donna is survived by her sons, James (Deborah) Sills of Empire, MI, and Robert (Marise) Sills of Lansing, MI; 2 daughters, Nancy (Michael) Lorentz of Twin Lake, Jean (E. James) Felker of Fruitport; 8 grandchildren, Rachael & David Sills, Michael II & Sarah Lorentz, Jaclyn & Jessica Felker, Megan & Carly Sills; Special friend Roy Fiester; sister-in-law Elma Bosma; brother-in-law, Harold Sorensen. She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond and her brother Gerald (Margie) Cooper. Services are scheduled for Wednesday, February 27, 2008, 2:00 PM at Fruitport Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Jerry Postema officiating. Interment at Fruitport Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday 5-8 PM at Clock Chapel Fruitport. Memorial donations may be made to the Fruitport Christian Reformed Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Donna, or to sign the online guest book.