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Obituary for Donna Rae Andree
On Saturday, January 4th, 2020 Donna Andree, loving mother and grandmother, passed away at the age of 73. Donna was born August 31st, 1946 to Virginia and Delbert Andree and raised in Oak Park IL. She attended Oak Park River Forest High School ('63) and went on to earn 2 Masters of Education from Indiana University (BA '67/MEd '70) and Northwestern University ('93).
For 27 years, Donna was a devoted and enthusiastic teacher at PMSA, Proviso East, and Proviso West High Schools, during which time she coached and led the academic decathlon team to a championship. Donna was the proud owner of The Christmas Branch custom ornaments for 46 years, an avid reader of many books, a true blue Cubs fan, a dedicated supporter of many organizations such as The PEO, and an honored sister in the Delta Zeta sorority, Indiana University chapter.
She is preceded in death by her father, Delbert, and mother, Virginia, and survived by her daughter, Jill, son, Neil (Stephanie), and granddaughters Audrey and Charlotte.
A memorial visitation will be held at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home in Forest Park IL on Sunday January 12th, 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a Service at 7:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in honor of Donna. https://www.zimmermanharnett.com/obituaries/Donna--Rae-Andree?obId=10400055#/obituaryInfo
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Marilyn Buck
My wonderful high school friend! So many memories, all the good times we had. Donna was a wonderful person, very loyal and caring. She was so upset when I lost everything in the 2017 Houston flood, more upset than me I think. She sent gifts, thinking of things I would need. Very special. She was supportive in every way. I am so grateful for her friendship. She was also so smart; I remember calling her in the evenings. She would have finished her homework in ten minutes and was watching TV, while I struggled! I'm so glad we re-connected at the 2013 50th reunion!
Charles Primus
When we reconnected a few years ago, it was at a time when chances seemed that Donna could beat the medical problems. She was effervescent, generous, considerate. Very, very smart. In other words, pretty much the same Donna as back through all the years to third grade at Longfellow. She made me very happy when she 'found' me and ended my term on the class 'lost' list. She must have been a wonderful teacher.
Cynthia Gundlach (Ashley)
Donna was a friend starting in Longfellow school. She was very smart, having been double promoted into our 7th grade class. We were friends all through high school, even sharing rides to school, thanks to our moms. We hung out with Cindy Brandzel and had some memorable Halloween trick or treating. Then after college we reconnected when Dennis and I moved back to Oak Park. Jill and my son Blair played together on and off. I still have some of her wood Christmas ornaments. After moving out of state, we lost touch until a few years ago thanks to FB. Rest In Peace, Donna.
Cindy Brandzel (Lachman)
My husband always told Donna that he knew she was "part of the package" when he met me. She loved that, as did I, because it was so true.
Donna and I met our very 1st day of high school, 61+1/2 years ago. We've been inseparable since ... until now.
We never judged each other. We were never critical of each other. We simply enjoyed each other's company and unquestionably supported each other all these years. We were truly Best Friends, and that was that. We had enthusiasm for whatever the other was doing, and deep compassion for each other during the rough times. Donna and Cindy Gundlach (Ashley) were the very first people at my front door when my Dad died suddenly during my junior year. I hung onto both tightly. We were each other's cheerleaders. We truly cherished each other.
I will forever have our memories together, although we had detailed plans to make so many more.
Generous of heart, loyal, kind, smart, and positive of spirit, Donna had a contagious enthusiasm for life and its adventures.
I hate missing my Donna, but I am so relieved she is no longer suffering.
'Til we meet again, I will always and forever love you, Donna.
As we would often say to each other and laugh:
"It is way too late in life to make a new OLD friend."