Donna Young Carruthers

Donna Young Carruthers died August 10, 2009 in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Donna was born April 11, 1929 in Lindenwald, Hamilton, Ohio to Alva and Donovan Young. Donna graduated from Hamilton High School in 1947 and had the distinction of being the first drum majorette. She was employed after High School and became an executive secretary at Champion Paper Company, where she met Ralph Rogan "Pat" Carruthers. They were married in 1958 in Glendale, Ohio and have one daughter, Sara Procter Carruthers. Donna was a stellar wife, mother and grandmother, with her life revolving around her family. Two years ago, Donna and Pat were blessed with the arrival of Sara's children, Elizabeth Procter Carruthers and Ralph Rogan (Rogue) Carruthers, II. They were the joy of her life and they will miss their "Coco". Those who knew her will miss her wit and generosity. Donna was a true philanthropist, providing both financial and active support to many charities. The Carruthers Family has contributed millions to Ft. Hamilton Hospital, The Carruthers Family Center for Arts and Technology (an addition to the Fitton Center), Hamilton Community Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship, Colonial Foundation, YMCA, Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre, Hamilton Police Department, Hamilton Community Foundation Development Fund, TvHAMILTON, American Heart Association, the Fine Arts Wing of Wilson Junior High School, Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton, and the Christ Church of Glendale, as well as many others. She once said if she could buy up Hamilton and create new business, she would. Donna was a member of Trouveres, Little Harbor Club, Cottillion, Lotus Club, Westover Guild, and a lifelong, avid needlepointer. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, a niece Reba Carruthers Lawrence, and her brother-in-law Clarence William Rowsey. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Pat, her daughter, Sara, and Sara's children. Other surviving relatives include: sister, Colleen Rowsey, niece Susan Rowsey Damm, great-nieces Sally Damm, Sara (Kevin) Holstein, great-great nephew Adam Holstein; sister-in-law Elizabeth Carruthers Larson; nephews Daniel Carl (Paula) Rebhun,III, Christian Keeler (Dana) Rebhun; great-nieces Rachael Hetherington Rebhun, Tory Elizabeth Rebhun, Keeler Christian Rebhun; great-nephews Christian Rebhun, Christian Cooper Rebhun; brother-in-law Thomas Hetherington (Susie) Carruthers IV; great-niece Rogan Lawrence (Dunne) Saal; great-nephew Thomas (Katie) Hetherington V; great-great nieces Anne Clark Carruthers, Elizabeth Justin Carruthers; great-great nephews Dunne W. Saal III, Thomas (Tuck) Hetherington Carruthers VI, John Rossiter Carruthers, and David Webster Carruthers.Visitation will be held at the Weigel Funeral Home 980 N. W. Washington Blvd, Hamilton, Ohio, on Wednesday August 19, from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. Services will follow at 3:00pm at the funeral home with burial at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Glendale, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Hamilton Community Foundation, 319 N. Third Street, Hamilton, Ohio 45011 or the Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Foundation, 360 Connable Avenue, Petoskey, Michigan 49770. Pat and Sara want to acknowledge the kind and gentle professionalism of Lori Weiss and the compassionate ICU nurses of Northern Michigan Hospital.

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Donna Young Carruthers

August 10, 2009