Donna May McGrath

Donna McGrath was an amazing friend, sister, aunt and great aunt. She was funny, creative, candid, and a wonderful storyteller. She had a natural gift for deepening relationships. Donna's gone now, brought down March 9 by chronic lung difficulties. We're going to have to learn to live without her, though always drawing on what she gave us.

Donna was born to John A. McGrath, an Irish immigrant, and Georgia E. (Norviel) McGrath in Columbus, Ohio, October 22, 1944. As Donna described them, “a Democrat who thought like a Republican, and a Republican who thought like a Democrat.” With her two brothers, Donna was at the center of a family that seemed to hit every corner of human nature – taciturn, garrulous, meticulous, abstract, academic, artistic, by degrees flawed and by degrees exceptional – and whose noisy dinners were more debates than meals. From all that, Donna drew lessons in life, about diversity, drawing from others, fighting when it mattered, asking for help when she needed, and giving whenever she could.

Donna graduated from Bishop Watterson High School in 1962 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Ohio State University in 1967. After working for a short time, found she needed a more practical approach to art. She graduated from the Columbus College of Art and Design in 1976 and moved to Chicago in 1977. She immediately fell in love with the city, its energy, people, and natural beauty. She made a home for herself, pursuing a career in graphic design at the American Medical Association from 1981 to 1991 and at Rand McNally from 1991 to 2009. Also a vocation in art, including classes at Lillstreet Gallery. After retirement, she continued to consult and volunteer her time and talent with nonprofits who needed her visual eye and design skills to communicate their important work.

In Chicago, Donna connected with and built a lasting community of friends who loved her dearly. Donna deeply valued and nurtured her relationships with friends and family. She gave and received love from a large circle of friends who also recognized how special she was and deeply enjoyed gathering, laughing, protesting, biking, walking along Lake Michigan, and traveling the world with her.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, her sister-in-law Janet Jacobson McGrath, and her nephew Brendan McGrath.

Donna is survived by her older brother, Timothy J. McGrath, attorney (Columbus, Ohio) and his wife Dianna. Also by her younger brother, Daniel McGrath, retired VP IBM, his wife Elizabeth (Brookfield, CT). Nieces and nephews Megan McGrath, Jeff (Tamara) Hayes, Shannon (Will) McGrath, Jennifer (Ray) Ryjewski, Mari (Chris) McGrath, Kathleen (Jay) McGrath, Keri McGrath. Great nieces and nephews Emily (Dave) Mrowzinski, Lindsey (Greg) Donofrio, Mackenzie McGrath, Morgan (Steven) Hughes, Gabe Ryjewski, Josie Ryjewski, Theo Ryjewski, Will Matta, Emery Rabe. Super nieces and nephews Benjamin Donofrio, Mia Mrowzinski and Carson Mrowzinski.

The family wishes to thank the hospital staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital for their diligence, kindness and understanding. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Guide Dog Foundation or the American Library Association's Cultural Communities Fund (www.ala.org/ccf).

Calling hours will take place on Saturday March 23, 2024 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at Drake and Sons Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Ave., Chicago 60625