Donna Marie Jerome

Donna Marie Jerome (nee Shene), 83, passed away suddenly on November 27, 2019, in Glendale, Arizona. She was born on April 22, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan to the late Theodore and Mildred (Pollack) Shene. After graduating in 1954 from Busch High School in Centerline, Michigan, Donna worked for the Kresge Company and the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank before marrying her husband Edward Jerome in May of 1961 and having 2 daughters. She was a homemaker while her children were young, but was always involved in school activities. Donna was a member of the local PTA and an assistant Girl Scout troop leader. When her girls were school aged, she took a job as a lunch and recess monitor at Shorewood Elementary School in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, where she lived with her husband and family for more than 30 years.

After her husband Ed’s retirement in May of 1995, Donna and Ed relocated to Glendale, Arizona, where they lived for nearly 25 years. Donna joined Atonement Lutheran Church where she had been an active member for over 20 years, serving on the Parish Life Committee, Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) and singing in the choir. She participated in many church activities and was always willing to help if needed. She always put others before herself.

Donna was independent, caring, and talented. She could knit and sew, and made clothes and Halloween costumes for her children along with many crafts. She was a cake decorator and candy maker, and won a ribbon at the State Fair for one of her decorated cakes. She was an exceptional cook and was known for her German potato salad and pot roast, in addition to her cakes, candies and desserts.

Donna was very social and enjoyed being with friends and family. She belonged to a neighborhood card club and bowled on several different leagues over the years in Michigan. She served as Secretary for the Roseville Teachers bowling league for many years and worked briefly at the Women’s International Bowling Congress (WIBC) local office. Donna liked to dance and sing, and enjoyed music, traveling, watching crime dramas and most of all playing bingo and going to the casino. Her “road trips” (as she called them) to the casinos were always fun for her, whether it was flying to Lake Tahoe or just taking the casino bus to the local Harrah’s for the day. There were so many car trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin over the years, each an adventure with different stories to tell-- all beginning with a stop at Starbucks followed by the special song list that was played during the drive.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Ed and 13 brothers and sisters. She is survived by her two daughters Diane and Eydie, and many loving nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Atonement Lutheran Church, 4001 W. Beardsley Road, Glendale, Arizona, with Rev. David Haught and Rev. Daniel Larson officiating. A luncheon at the church will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s honor may be made to Atonement Lutheran Church, 4001 W. Beardsley Road, Glendale, Arizona 85308.

~ Her smile will remain in our hearts forever ~