Therese Marie Donahue of Potterville, formerly of Chelsea, Grand Rapids, Essexville, Ossineke, Parchment, and Ypsilanti, age 78, passed away Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. She was born October 6, 1947, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Frank Henry and Mary Cecilia (Dolan) Donahue.
Therese and her twin sister were baptized Catholic and later became Dominican Sisters for a period of time in 1989. She graduated from Marywood Academy in Grand Rapids, earned her bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College in 1972, and eventually earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She worked as a middle and high school teacher in the Catholic Diocese of Traverse City; she was a Catholic Associate Pastor, ACSW, Realtor, and U.S. Rural Route Postal Carrier. Therese was a social worker for the State of Michigan Correction Facility in Jackson. She retired from the Ann Arbor Veteran's Hospital. Therese was a member / volunteer for the Chelsea Wellness Center.
Therese and her twin sister, Marilyn lived together in a beautiful lakefront home that they designed and were very active in their local community. Marilyn was always pulling Therese into a conversation with someone new. Over time neighbors came to know and love them both. Favorite memories of neighbors include Therese finding treasures at garage sales, treating everyone to lattes and hosting the neighborhood Christmas party together. Therese was a special person, and all were blessed to have known her. So many of her friends have mentioned that they cherish and treasure all the good memories and times that they shared together. She was known as a spitfire and a force to be reckoned with, had an infectious laugh, and knew how to bring out the fun lighthearted side of people. She will be missed.
Therese is survived by her fraternal twin sister, Marilyn Marie Donahue of Chelsea; her younger brother, John Patrick Donahue of Charlotte; and her nieces and nephews, Katie Donahue, Eric Donahue, James Donahue II, Johnny Gallmeier, and David Gallmeier. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother and sister-in-law, James and Alice Donahue, Sr.; sister and brother-in-law, Judith Anne and Gene Gallmeier; and two nephews, Timothy Gallmeier and George Gallmeier.
A gathering of family and friends may possibly be held in the future. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters.
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