Donna Pinkelman Obituary, Death – Sister La Donna Marie Pinkelman died in Sylvania, Ohio, in 2022. In 1955, she moved from St. Elizabeth Parish in Berkey, Ohio, to Sylvania to attend St. Clare Academy. Her first vows were taken in 1961, and her final vows were taken in 1966. Sister La Donna served God’s people for 61 years. She has honors degrees in theological and spiritual studies from Lourdes Junior College in Sylvania, Ohio, Mary Manse College in Toledo, Ohio, and St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana.
She taught elementary school in Minnesota and Ohio for 15 years. She was Religious Education Coordinator in Bowling Green, Sandusky, St. Paul, and Minneapolis for eight years. Sister worked in pastoral care in Steubenville, Ohio, and Canon City, Colorado, and was the Director of Mission Integration in Sandusky, Ohio. She directed the Rosary Care Center’s Wholistic Resource Center until her health failed and she entered prayer ministry. She was the Director of the Franciscan Spirituality Center in Sylvania for five years.
Sister La Donna had many interesting experiences as a Sylvania Franciscan. She was called to serve in a variety of ministries, which necessitated flexibility in her living and working arrangements. She was grateful for them, and her time in Colorado, surrounded by the beauty of the mountains, was one of the highlights of her religious life, along with pilgrimages to Assisi and Rome, and a sabbatical in New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains. A friend published her prayers, prose, and poetry in Franciscan Flowers, Poetry, Prose, and Prayer, volumes I & II.
Sister La Donna wrote in her Golden Jubilee reflection, “The Gift of these 50 years of Religious Life has had rocks and flowers, love and sad moments, and overflowing joys.” God’s blessings are beyond words. His and my community’s strength have long supported me. I’ll always say “yes.” I’m grateful. I rely on Your strength as I work and suffer for Your love. (2011) Her Community Sisters, family, friends, and Rosary Care Center caregivers will miss her. She can now see God’s loving Face, which she shared for 81 years. Pacem.
Duane and John Pinkelman and Karen Noe (Jerry) and Nancy Lumbrezer survive La Donna.
