Donna Mae Giddis

Donna Mae Giddis passed away peacefully on August 17, 2016 in Gainesville, FL at the age of 86. Born on October 5, 1929 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Albert John Charbeneau and Lillian Ann Charbeneau. Donna graduated from Pontiac High School (Michigan) in 1947. Most of Donna’s working life was as a professional secretary, previously working for schools and universities. The last 21 years of that time working with Gulf Breeze High School, Gulf Breeze, FL, retiring in 1997. Donna was very much involved in her community, mostly spending her time as a volunteer at Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, but was also involved with the Santa Rosa Women’s Club, her local Book Club and many craft groups. She loved to quilt and cross-stitch, and there is great evidence of such in every child and grandchild’s residence. Donna was also blessed with many life-long friends, a great sense of humor, a love of dancing and a spirit of generosity. Donna would like to have been known as someone who loved her family. Her children, her grandchildren, and her special companion, George Smith, who preceded her in death in 2010, meant the world to Donna, as did her daughter-in-law Jamie, who preceded her in death in 2007. We will never forget her love for all of us. Donna was also preceded in death by her sisters, Leona Manigold, Lillian Harmon, and Betty Chamberlain. She is survived by her daughters, Linda Shepherd of Champions Gate, FL, Rayanne Giddis Rittgers (Rob) of Gainesville, FL and son, Kevin Giddis (Sareh) of Watersound, FL. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Krystof Kage (Rachael) of Tallahassee, FL, Devon Hunt (Sara) of St. Cloud, FL, Caroline Giddis of Watersound, FL, and Morgan Sapp of Gainesville, FL, and three wonderful great-grandchildren, Reed, Brett, and Mara Hunt, all of St. Cloud, FL. Sisters, Marge Hotchkiss of Grand Rapids, MI, Thelma Schoen of Woodhaven, MI, Elaine Utter of Bay City, MI, and Jeri Hatcher, Alma Brown, and Shirley Irwin, all of Garland, TX. The family is very grateful to the special caregivers at the Village, Touching Hearts and Haven Hospice who helped our beloved mom through her long journey. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME WESTAREA, 823 NW 143rd St. (CR 241 North) in Gainesville. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home starting at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Central Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, the Alzheimer’s Association, 4237 Salisbury Rd #406, Jacksonville, FL 32216, or Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606.

Donna Mae Giddis

October 5, 1929 - August 17, 2016