Thurman, Donna Sue

Donna Sue Thurman, 62, daughter of Violet and Willard Thurman, died peacefully in New York City on May 12, 2011. No services were held in New York City. Following her desires, her remains have been cremated. A memorial services is planned for August. 

Donna was born Feb. 8, 1949, and graduated from the English Valleys High School in 1967. She attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, receiving BA and MA degrees in Fine Arts in 1972. Donna then moved to New York City, where she lived the rest of her life. She worked many years in the textile and fashion business, primarily enjoying her time spent at Liz Claiborne. During the last several years, Donna worked in administration at New York University.

She was a lifetime patron of the many fine arts in New York City, favoring the Opera and the Metropolitan Art Museum.

Donna developed rheumatic fever as a child and had a lifetime battle with this disease. She admired St. Jude and St. Jude Hospital and she became a longtime supporter of its service to sick children.

Donna is survived by her sisters, Phyllis Mason of Carmichael, Calif., and Kay Ramnani of Cedar Rapids; her brothers, Dennis of Silver Spring, Md., and Thomas of Colorado Springs, Colo.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in passing by her parents; her sister, Lorraine Schoenthaler; and brothers, Jerry and James.

Donna had great respect for her high schoolteacher, Al Brainerd. She thought he worked diligently and successfully conveyed the idea that “even if you are not gifted in music and the arts, you can still derive great pleasure from them,” which she did.