Celebrating the life of Donita J. "Donnie" McKanna
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Obituary for Donita J. "Donnie" McKanna
Donita Jean McKanna "Donnie", age 83 of Arvada, passed away Saturday August 17, 2019 while in the care of Porter Hospice. Close family held Donnie during her final moments.
Donnie survived heart surgery on her 83rd birthday and spinal fusion surgery in April of this year and was enjoying a happy, independent life during her final months. On July 23rd she suffered a traumatic stroke and was rushed to Lutheran Hospital. She was later transferred to Porter Hospice. Family members are extremely grateful for the expert and loving care she received at Lutheran and Porter Hospice.
Donnie specifically requested cremation, no memorial service, and spreading of her ashes in the mountains. Her family will plan a celebration of life in her honor to be announced later.
Should you wish to donate please contact Porter Hospice Foundation or Rocky Mountain Cocker Rescue. Details below under MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION
Donita Jean Thayer was born to the late Ashael Thayer and Geneva (Duff) Thayer on September 9, 1935 in Grand Island, Nebraska. During her youth, Donnie and her surviving sister, Shirley (Thayer) Eyre moved to Denver. She graduated from Englewood High School in 1953. While working at Stemac, Inc., she met and later married Lowell McKanna in June 1959. Donnie and Lowell have two surviving children, Michelle McKanna Beal and Michael McKanna. Donnie was a stay at home mother for Shelly and Mike and after they became adults, she took accounting classes and started her second career as a tax preparer, which continued, into her 80’s. Besides her children and grandchildren, Donnie’s love in life was playing bridge. She received her Lifetime Master Gold status in 1981 and continued to play competitive bridge throughout her life.
Her son Mike McKanna, and his wife Molly McKanna, her daughter Michelle McKanna Beal, her grandchildren Meredith McKanna, Kevin McKanna, Andrew McKanna and Sydney Beal; her surviving sister Shirley Eyre, and her nephew Doug Roberts and his wife, Chris and her grandniece, Amber Roberts Padilla, will lovingly remember Donnie.
