July 14, 1959 – October 12, 2020
Donna Carole Kishbaugh (Waters), born in Sheridan, passed away on Monday, October 12, 2020. She is survived by her husband, Greg; son, Dagan; and daughter, Bronwyn. She is survived, as well, by her mother, Carole Christy, and her two brothers, Darryl Waters and Darren Christy, as well as countless other aunts and cousins.
She was a loving and beloved wife, mother, sister and daughter. Donna passed away as she lived, always seeking another level of success, always pushing herself to learn and experience more. She was a beloved and close friend to thousands of people, many of whom turned to her for comfort and support. But mostly, she served as inspiration.
She attended Sheridan High School, where she edited an underground newspaper, and as an assistant to the boys’ wrestling team, she became the first female in school history to ‘letter’ in a boy’s sport.
She was the first member of her family to attend college, graduating from Indiana University, where she pursued her dream of ballet dancing. Sidelined by injury, she would follow another life-long passion and receive her degree in theater, with a minor in anthropology.
She went on to earn her Master’s degree from Columbia College in Chicago, where she met Greg.
She worked in advertising in Chicago before moving back to Indiana, where she raised her young family. There she built her art business, The Art of Donna, in which she designed artwork for many celebrity clients, participated in New York Fashion Week, and became a staple at numerous cons.
She was an avid traveler and lover of different cultures. She was a vegan who strongly supported all causes that honored and protected animals. (In her house, spiders were carefully carried outside so they would not be harmed). She was a space enthusiast, and an avid lover of art, literature and music. She loved fashion, especially shoes, and long, hot baths, which she turned into works of art every night with a variety of specialized bath bombs. She was a firm advocate for equality for all people.
Never one to settle for a second, she returned to Columbia College last year, completed her thesis and was awarded her Masters of Fine Arts degree. Next, she was planning to study for her doctorate and to publish her thesis as a collection of short stories.
She worked as a college professor, teaching English, theater and writing. She was beloved by her students, many of whom described her as the first instructor they felt ever really cared about them.
She was a masterful marketer, working with film director Guillermo del Toro, as well as editing, planning and promoting all of her husband’s work. She was on the Board of Directors for The Center for Ray Bradbury Studies at IUPUI, and she and her husband had recently formed their own publishing company.
She was kind, thoughtful, selfless, funny, brilliant and never turned her back on anyone who needed her help, even if they were complete strangers.
A memorial service will be held for her at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation following the service.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to the Humane Society in her name.
Condolences: KerchevalFuneralHome.com