Donna Marie Haake

It is with deep sorrow and much love that the family of Donna Marie Haake announce her passing on June 13, 2023 at the age of 59 years old.

Donna passed away peacefully at the home of her sister Laura Yates in Pearland, Texas. Early that morning, the clouds lifted and our Loving, Almighty Father brought her home.

Her bright light and loving heart left us too soon, but her warmth, love and generosity will be remembered by the many lives she touched.

About Donna

Donna, the eldest of three children was born on August 22, 1963. She attended McCorristin High School and graduated from Trenton State College with a degree in accounting. She retired from the state of New Jersey after working as an auditing manager.

Her daughter Laura Nichole Varone was born on January 24, 1995. Laura was her everything. Donna loved her sweet daughter with every fiber of her being. Donna suffered the greatest of heartaches that any mother can suffer with the loss of her daughter in 2019.

She married a wonderful man, Ken Haake on April 22, 2007 and they resided in Robbinsville, New Jersey. After 15 years of marriage, her gentle, kind and caring husband Ken passed away in 2022.

Donna was a member of Princeton Community Church in Pennington, New Jersey for over 20 years and was baptized on November 14, 2010. Her relationship with Jesus was very strong and was part of everything she did. Throughout the trials she faced, she was filled with the love of God and always reflected that.

Donna enjoyed the New Jersey beaches and spent many family summer vacations in Cape May. She loved reading, attending church, reading her bible, sunbathing at the pool, watermelon and Twizzlers.

Donna had incredible artistic talent. She took up painting throughout her life, painting walls, cabinets, ceiling fans, furniture and anything that she could to create beauty in her surroundings.

Donna also had a rare gift for sending greeting cards, sometimes custom made. She sent birthday cards, anniversary cards, holiday cards, get-well cards, thank you cards and thinking-of-you cards. Each card always had a personalized note or letter that conveyed how much you meant to her.

Family Who Went Before

Donna was predeceased by her mother Susan B. Kerr, who died on May 23, 1998, her precious daughter Laura Varone, who died on June 8, 2019, and her loving husband Kenneth Haake, who died on July 30, 2022.

Family She Left Behind

Donna is survived by her father Donald Miller, step-mother Gail Miller, sister Laura Yates, brother Doug Miller and spouse Wendy Miller, step-daughter Nicole Scott and spouse William, step-granddaughter Cassandra Scott, step-grandson Alexander Scott, step-daughter Lucy Said and spouse Said Abdelwahab, step-grandson Nikko Wright. She is also survived by five beloved nephews, four grandnephews, one grandniece, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

In Remembrance

Her strong will undoubtedly helped her persevere through life's challenges. Donna suffered from chronic medical issues for many years. Donna was a strong fighter, but now she is free from pain and suffering and is reunited with her daughter Laura, husband Kenny, and her mother Susan.

Her light shined bright in her love for Jesus. Throughout all of her struggles she kept her strong faith in God's love. She radiated that love to everyone she crossed paths with, even in the briefest encounters with strangers.

Donna will be remembered for her loving heart that she shared with all of her friends and family. She truly loved each of them, and if you knew her, you knew it. She will be forever missed and loved. She cared so deeply for the people around her. Her kindness and compassion made an impact on so many lives.

No words can express how grateful we are for the many people who loved and cared for Donna during the many struggles that she faced. A heartfelt thank you to Princeton Community Church and the congregation for the love they showed to Donna. And to Annie Ovacz, Donna's best friend who stood by her side for many years and who loved and helped her in countless ways when she needed it most. And special thanks to long-time friend Bill W.

A memorial service and reception will be held to celebrate Donna's life at Princeton Community Church at 2300 Pennington Road, Pennington, New Jersey 08534 on Thursday, July 20, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Should you feel inclined, you are welcome to make a contribution in Donna's memory to:

Princeton Community Church, 2300 Pennington Road, Pennington, NJ 08534

https://princetonchurch.com

Street Church Ministries, 127 Perry Street, Trenton, NJ 08618

https://www.streetchurchministries.com/

City of Angels NJ, Inc., P.O. Box 10237, Trenton, NJ 08650

https://cityofangelsnj.org/donation/