Obituary of Lorraine B. Donahue

Lorraine B. Donahue (Bashaw), 92, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, April 23, 2023, after a long fight with lung and heart disease. She passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Lorraine was born in Mooers Forks, New York to Albert Bashaw and Lillian (Manor) Bashaw on December 5, 1930. She came into the world on Friday and Friday’s child is loving and giving, and this defines her so well. As she grew into adulthood, Lorraine took nursing courses and found a passion for cooking. She worked in many restaurants all over the country, honing her gift and learning all she could about making the most delicious food and desserts. Lorraine loved German food most of all, and was very well known for her homemade pies and delicious Michigan sauce. She also worked at Trebors Mill where she started as material cutter then worked her way up to bookkeeper. She received numerous awards for outstanding work at her employers. She was a devout Roman Catholic who lent her faith to those in need and taught Sunday school and inspired faith in children in her community for twenty years. She also received awards for teaching Sunday school. She met the love of her life, Norman Donahue, at a local dance in 1955, and after a romantic courtship, was wed on January 21, 1957. They had 3 beautiful, devoted children who loved their mother more than anything, and learned the kindness and compassion from her and Norman to grow up to be exceptional parents and grandparents to two grandchildren. She is survived by her loving husband Norman; her two devoted daughters, Lydia Moore, and her husband David, and Deborah (Debbie) Wilcox; her son, Ronald Donahue and fiancé, Deb Guiles; her two beloved grandchildren, Emily Moore Barbosa and Layne Donahue; her three surviving siblings, Alberta Estes (Bashaw) and Rodney, David and Barbara Bashaw, and Carl and Ingrid Bashaw; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; brother, Herbert Bashaw; and sisters, Elva Blaise and Kathleen Klages. Lorraines family hopes that she will always be remembered for her kind eyes, her bright smile, her devotion to her God and the Roman Catholic faith, but more than anything for the lessons of compassion and unconditional love that she shared with every person she met. May you pass that kindness on to one another, as she would have done for you. There will be no public calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 2:30 PM at Immaculate Conception Church, Keeseville, with Rev. Kris C. Lauzon, parish priest, celebrating. Donations in memory of Lorraine may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Mission of Hope. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 124 Clinton Street, Keeseville, 834-7667.