Donna Kenny

DONNA KENNY

Cedar Rapids

Donna Lee Oster Kenny of Monroe, Conn., beloved sister, aunt, friend and teacher, passed away suddenly on April 10, 2014. She was 65 years old. Her grace, courage and fighting spirit will live forever in the hearts of all who knew her.

Donna was born April 6, 1949, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to John Oster Jr. and Donna (Faas) Oster. She had one brother, John Oster III. She attended Hoover Elementary School and Wilson Junior High School, graduating from Jefferson High School, all in Cedar Ra-pids. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1971, with a dual major in English and Spanish. She then embarked on a lifelong career as a Spanish Language teacher.

Somehow she managed to squeeze in the time to get her MBA from the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. During her decades-long career she taught thousands of students Spanish and loved every minute.

Donna most recently taught at Staples High School in Westport, Conn., where she was a highly respected and beloved teacher.

Donna was diagnosed with Marfan's Syndrome at the age of 12 and was expected to live until the age of 25. She fought daily to keep herself alive and lived until the age of 65, making her one of the oldest sur-viving Marfan's patients. She endured, among other things, three open heart surgeries. Her grace in the face of her significant medical issues was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Donna was married twice, to Pat Kenny and to Jim Kenny (no relation) and was single but not alone or lonely at the time of her passing.

She traveled widely for both personal enrichment and to enhance her teaching skills. She collected friends the way some people collect things. She leaves friends throughout Europe, North America and South America.

Donna is survived by her brother, John Oster III; nieces, Jennifer and Mary Oster; nephew, John Oster IV; sisters-in-law, Maureen and Gayle Kenny and Catherine Oster; father-in-law, John Kenny; close friends, Vicky and Donnie Maz-zarelli and the Maffei fam-ily: Karen, Ron, Jennifer, Ryan and Stephanie Maffei Hamburger; as well as her many other friends, colleagues and students past and present.

Services, provided by Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home in Monroe, Conn., will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the New Fairfield/ Sherman Animal Welfare Society or the Staples High School Grant Fund in Donna's name would be most appreciated.

For online condolences please visit www.spadaccinofuneral home.com.