Donna Jeanne Schendel

SCHENDEL, DONNA JEANNE

Whether it was in her starring role as June Cleavage at Agatha's Mystery Theatre on her 70th birthday dinner, for which she received a standing ovation, or in her most important role as beloved Mother and Grandmother, Donna Jeanne Schendel touched everyone she knew with her beautiful smile and upbeat, positive attitude.

Donna left this earth on March 19, 2016 due to complications from illness, but her spirit lives on here in the hearts and lives of all she knew and shared her life and times with.

Born and raised in Chicago, where she was a model in her early life, Donna moved to Atlanta in the 1950s with her husband, Wayne, where she raised her family. She embraced her new southern roots by giving her newborn daughter, Deb, the middle name Lee - in honor of Robert E. Lee. Donna liked the idea, Deb - not so much.

Donna's main focus in life was raising her family in their homes on Drew Valley Road in Brookhaven and Appling Drive in Chamblee. She kept home life fun and hopping, whether it was hosting twist dance party nights for the neighborhood, making tasty lettuce and carrot wrap snacks or telling the kids to go outside and play on nice, sunny days. Even though she was 89 and lived at Cumming Nursing Center, Donna enjoyed sitting out front working on her tan and greeting visitors, always with a coke float in her hand.

Donna was preceded in death, by only a few days, by her beloved sister, Carol "Ca" Rebold, to whom she was devoted, and who, undoubtedly, was waiting in Heaven for her big sister to join her. Donna is survived by her 3 children, Doug, Jim and Deb, daughter-in-law, Kathryn, son-in-law, Chip, 2 grandchildren, Glenn and Julie, 2 great grandchildren, Charlotte and Callen and her brother, Roy Ion. Her granddaughter, Julie, a Methodist minister, will officiate at a family ceremony.

Donna will be missed forever, but never forgotten - her sweet red lipstick smile peeking out from under one of her many stylish hats.