Donna L Devore

DONNA LEA (TINDALL) DEVORE Donna Lea (Tindall) DeVore of Kansas City, MO, died Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, at the age of 86. She was born in Linn County, Iowa, on April 17, 1931, to Nanalea and Donald Tindall, and moved with the family to the Kansas City area as a child. She was predeceased by husband Carl S. DeVore. A devoted mother, she is survived by three daughters, Kathleen Tremain of Kansas City; Debra DeVore Allen and husband Donald, of Liberty; and Heidi DeVore and husband Peter Davis, of Topeka, KS; grandsons Cameron Tremain and Aaron Tremain, both of Kansas City; great grandson Zachary Tremain, of Kansas City; great great granddaughter Ackleigh; her brother William Tindall; her sweet, devoted cat Lucky; many cousins, nieces, nephews, other family members and her countless friends. Donna devoted her life to making other people happy. She would do almost anything to make others smile. Donna could develop a new friendship in a few minutes of conversation, especially with firemen. She loved telling jokes (occasionally even a little off-color). She would often carry small plastic animals in her purse to present to small children she would meet in the neighborhood, on the bus, or in a store. She was a giver, whether she had it to give or not. A friend once said that she would give you the shirt off her back, and then ask if you wanted her shoes as well. She never stopped giving, and that made her happy. Although homemaking was her primary vocation, she worked outside her home for a number of years as a dental assistant and child care worker. She also spent many enjoyable years working in the antique business, something that is no surprise to anyone who ever visited her beautifully decorated home or heard her interesting stories about her prized treasures. Heritage, tradition and memory were always a high priority for Donna, both for her living family members and the departed. She would gather family members and lead them on a journey to decorate the graves of her Kansas City relatives every Memorial Day. This was an annual cemetery pilgrimage made since she was a little girl. For her living family she would remember every birthday and anniversary with a phone call, usually early in the morning, and included a special song she would sing to begin your special day. Donna brought comfort to everyone through her down home cooking. She could prepare a huge meal for an army battalion in her small kitchen. She would make room at her dining table for anyone who was hungry and always sent her guests home with full stomachs and a week’s worth of leftovers. Donna was a lifelong Southern Democrat. She was always ready for a heated political discussion, and she was not afraid to disagree with your position on important issues, while never becoming disagreeable. And she would always welcome you into her home and seat you at her table, regardless of the unfortunate and misguided orientation you might have. Donna loved all animals, but always had a special place in her heart for cats. She adopted several throughout her lifetime, but her last companion was a very special friend and family member. Lucky kept her company through the last years of her life. He was loyal, not always obedient, and very spoiled. There will be a gathering of friends and family at White Chapel Funeral Home and Memorial Garden, 6600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, Missouri, on Monday, October 9, from 6 pm to 8 pm. A brief graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 10, at 1 pm at White Chapel. We look forward to seeing many family and friends to reminisce. We hope this will be a joyful and memorable experience for all and perhaps a little whimsical, just like Mom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Wayside Waifs Animal Shelter in Kansas City (www.waysidewaifs.org).