Floretta "Bobbie" Margaret Donlon

Bobbie Donlon was born Floretta Margaret Cavanagh on December 9, 1930 in Joliet, Illinois, the daughter of Gerald William and Marcella McGinnis Cavanagh. Floretta quickly became “Bobbie”when her older sister, Marcy, then two years old, made the decision that Bobbie was much easier to say than Floretta! The cute nickname stuck throughout her life.

Bobbie, along with her siblings, Marcy, Jerry and Tom, all grew up in Chicago, Illinois during the Great Depression. She had many recollections of the hard times suffered by so many during that period. She also remembered the compassion her mother showed, providing meals to hungry strangers who came to her back door asking for food.

Her childhood in Chicago included her lively Irish/Scottish family and extended family. There were many wonderful times spent with her mom,dad, brothers, sister, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. They enjoyed card playing, singing and lots of laughter.

Bobbie attended Immaculata High School in Chicago and Barat College in Lake Forest. She met her future husband, Thomas M. Donlon, at age 16, and the sparks flew!

They dated for several years and were married November 17, 1950. They remained devoted to one another for 59 years.

Bobbie was the proud mother of two daughters: Laura (Gary)Odahowski and Jean (the late Craig)Wisniewski and five sons: Tom (Maureen), Jerry (Teresa), David (Linda),Joe (Julie) and Pat (Mary). She was also blessed with seventeen grandchildren and twenty-four(soon to be twenty-seven) great grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Gerald Cavanagh.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Donlon, her grandson William “Billy” Donlon, her son-in-law, Craig Wisniewski, her sister, Marcy Cavanagh Sneed and her brother, Thomas Cavanagh.

Bobbie spent her later years in Sarasota, Florida with her husband, Tom and loved her time in “paradise.” There she enjoyed the beach, boating, cruising, Rummikub with friends and most of all, hosting family and friends.

Bobbie will be remembered by all as a beautiful, fun-loving, fiesty woman who loved to sing, always dressed to the nines and was fiercely proud of her family.

A memorial service in her honor will be held this summer, with more information forthcoming.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lauterburgoehler.com for the Donlon family.