Donna Marion O'Halloran

Donna Marion ( Kemnitzer ) O'Halloran died March 29th in Portland, Oregon, surrounded in love with her children Robert Luis, John William Jr., and Frances Ann O’Halloran by her side. Donna was a loving and devoted mother, and her bright spirit and sharp wit will be dearly missed. Donna was born in Los Angeles, CA. on February 15th 1933, (stating she was just not sweet enough to be a Valentines baby) to Frances Matson Stowell and Luis Emmett Kemnitzer. Donna loved her childhood growing up in Corona Del Mar and Pasadena, CA., and spending her summers at her Grandparents’ ranch in Sacramento. After graduating from Newport High School in CA., Donna went on to work for Shell Oil Company. It was a blind date that led her to meeting the man who would become her devoted husband of over 57 years, Jack O’Halloran. Donna knew after that first date that Jack was ‘the one’. They married in San Francisco and a few years later made their home within the Madeleine parish of NE Portland. Donna was always a willing volunteer for School and Athletic events, and was a cheerful leader of the Camp Fire Girls. Her Country Squire station wagon never lacked riders, as she drove to every School Field Trip possible. Donna’s Grandmother, Emma Kemnitzer, was one of the first women to register to vote in Sacramento, CA. Donna followed in her footsteps advocating for voting rights by volunteering with the League of Women Voters. Donna played Bridge with a close group of women friends who she traveled with, and celebrated many milestone family events with. Donna loved family gatherings both at her always beautifully adorned table in Portland, and at their summer home on the Long Beach Peninsula. She and Jack hosted weekly cocktail parties during the summer, where many a good time and fabulous food was enjoyed. She was known as 'Nana' to her six beautiful grandchildren, who she deeply loved and was extremely proud of. Robert Luis O'Halloran, Jr. and Brian Nelson O'Halloran of Portland OR. Michael Patrick, Kelly Anne, and Erin Katherine O’Halloran of Yarrow Point, WA., and Emma Shea Ursalina O'Halloran of Chapel Hill, NC & Portland, OR. She liked to believe that she inspired them all to be authentic and light hearted. She is survived by her dear cousin Helen Younger Goode of Santa Barbara, CA., and her sister Jeannie Brooke Barnett of London, England, and brothers Paul Kemnitzer of Crestone, CO. and Bryan Kemnitzer of Belvedere, CA. Her husband John William ( Jack ) O’Halloran, son Michael John O’Halloran and brother Luis Kemnitzer preceded her in death. The family is deeply grateful to her primary caregiver, Mariana Magda, for the compassionate care she gave Donna these past few years. The family suggests that if the spirit moves you, a charitable remembrance to the League of Women’s Voters of Oregon, or the ACLU, would be keeping with Donna’s civic spirit.