Barbara L. Donahue

March 20, 1926 - October 9, 2021

Barbara L. Donahue passed away peacefully on October 9, 2021 at Liberty Village. Barbara was born March 20, 1926 to Charles and Laverne (Cook) Atherton in Rockford, IL. The family moved to Freeport in 1936. She married Robert (Ribs) Donahue on July 14, 1979 in Freeport, IL. Barbara worked at Kraft Foods Co. in Freeport for 6 years and while there sang with the Kraft Choral Society. She worked at the Freeport Journal Standard for 42 years, retiring as Office Manager in 1987. She was a long-time member of First Lutheran Church, participating in the Church Council, the Altar Guild and choir and serving as Sunday School Secretary. She was a member of the Home Garden Club for many years and a member of “The Ladies of the Club” for over 50 years. She volunteered many hours at the Humane Society in Freeport. She is survived by six daughters, Theresa (Ken) Marten, Colleen (Len) Lassandro, Molly (Gary) Borneman, Erin (Rich) Stewart and Cara Giuffre all of Freeport and Bridget (Jeff) Disch of Madison, WI. Grandchildren, Keith (Amy) Marten, Kelly Haymond, Kristen (Chad) Winters, Ryan (Heather) Lassandro, Neil (Dolly) Lassandro, Sarah (Billy) Shroyer, Kyle (Nichol) Borneman, Eric (Jenna) Borneman, Caley (Mike) Marten, Brad (Katie) Stewart, Molly Stewart, Ellen Disch, Paula Disch, Grant Disch, Vincent Giuffre, Samuel Giuffre, Louis Giuffre, and Paul Giuffre. Also, sixteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Doris Elliott of Kankakee and three God Children, Laurie (Lonnie) Kolwelter and Leigh (Don) Wegrich of Kankakee and Lindsay (Kelly) Elliott of Austin, TX and numerous nieces and nephew. Barbara was predeceased by her husband, parents and brothers, William and twins Ronald and Rodney Atherton, brother-in-law James Elliott and sister-in-law Ruth Atherton. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 11:00 am at First Lutheran Church Freeport with a visitation from 9:30 till time of service. Pastor Keith Johnson will officiate. A memorial has been established in Barbara’s memory.