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Donna O'Brien
DONNA M. O'BRIEN
Iowa City
Donna M. O'Brien, 83, of Iowa City, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, at Bickford Cottage in Iowa City.
Donna was born Nov. 12, 1935, in Massillon, Ohio, the daughter of William and Pearl (Giffin) O'Brien. She graduated from high school in Oak Park, Ill., received her B.A. degree from Cornell College in Mount Vernon and her master's degree in education from the University of Iowa. During college, Donna worked for a summer at Rocky Mountain National Park. She taught school in Illinois, Arizona, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
Donna was a member of First United Methodist Church in Iowa City. She volunteered for several charities. She cherished her opportunity to sponsor more than 40 families through Plan/International.
Donna's honors included Phi Beta Kappa, Mortar Board and a "foster parent of the year" award. Donna found great joy in teaching children in the Iowa City schools and sponsoring children/families she didn't even know!
Her family includes her brother, William E. (Bill) and his wife, Beverly; and her nephews, Tim and Mat of Kalispell, Mont. She also leaves to mourn her many friends in Iowa, Illinois and Arizona.
No services are being planned. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Services is caring for Donna's arrangements. To honor Donna's memory, please feel free to donate to the charity of your choice in her name.
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