Gloria Donoher Obituary

Donoher, Gloria (née Nelthorpe) peacefully passed away in Evanston, IL on March 7, 2015 at the age of 92. Gloria is survived by her children, Terry Shea, Maureen Shea (Alan Rosenfield), and Melinda Pepper (Bennie Pepper); grandchildren, Jessica Martin, Jeremy Martin (Sheri), Jennifer Collins (Barry) and Lindsey Rosenfield; and great-grandchildren, Ethan, Aiden and Eva Jo. Her husband, Paul Donoher, preceded her in death. Gloria was born on December 29, 1922 in Wyandotte, Michigan to Pearl (Marie Louise Giasson) and Harold E. Nelthorpe. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in 1940 and University of Michigan in 1944 with a degree in Pre-med. While a student at U of M, she married Benjamin Shea. After Benjamin finished his tour of duty in the Navy, they lived in Southgate, later moving to Lathrup Village, Michigan. In addition to her many volunteer activities, Gloria loved entertaining, gardening, golf, bridge, cooking, and reading. She also loved sailing with her children on Portage Lake, Michigan where the family kept a cottage. After Ben passed away, Gloria married Paul Donoher. They lived in Southfield, later moving to Auburn Hills. Gloria earned her Masters of Library Science from Wayne State University. After working as a librarian for several years at Churchill High School in Livonia, Gloria founded a successful company, InfoSearch, which did research for Fortune 500 companies in the days before the Internet. In 1984, she authored a booklet, Leisure Options: A Guide to Senior Activities in Greater Detroit. In November 1990 Gloria sold her business and Paul retired from Detroit Country Day School. They relocated to Tellico Village near the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. They spent winters on Hutchinson Island in Florida. After her husband, Paul, passed away, Gloria made a new life for herself in Evanston, Illinois first at The Georgian, and finally at Three Crowns Park. Gloria continued to enjoy spending time with her family and friends, volunteering, attending continuing education courses at Northwestern University, traveling, going to concerts, playing bridge, reading, doing needlepoint, and solving crosswords. She helped to set up libraries in both Tellico Village and Three Crowns Park. A memorial service is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., April 26 at Three Crowns Park, 2323 McDaniel Avenue in Evanston, Illinois with a reception to follow. Chaplain John Lionberger will officiate the ceremony. Friends of Gloria are welcome to attend and celebrate Gloria's life. The family is deeply grateful for McDaniel House caregivers and all the Three Crowns staff for their kind efforts, care, and support. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, Chicago, IL 60632. Info: 847-675-1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com.