September 9, 1944 – December 17, 2020
Donna Jean McClure, 76, Westfield, died on December 17, 2020 at her home with her husband and family by her side. She was the loving wife of Alfred E. McClure for 54 years. She had three children and 10 grandchildren: Holly Ann (Jacobson), husband Paul, with four grandchildren, Andrea, Eileen, Paul Eric and Drew; Heather (O’Farrell), husband Thomas, with three grandchildren, Alfred, Charles and Alina; and Sean McClure, wife Suzanna, with three grandchildren, Mariam, Alfred and Edmund.
Donna was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She adored her children and grandchildren and supported them in their many activities. She was proud of their musical and athletic skills, attending concerts, lacrosse games and baseball games. She encouraged the academic achievements of her children and grandchildren. She was the wife every man dreams of, and more. She could always be counted upon for good advice. Donna met Alfred McClure at Rutgers University, and they were married at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Lyndhurst, N.J., on June 25, 1966. They lived together happily for 54 years.
Donna was born in East Orange, N.J., on September 9, 1944. Her mother was Mary (Horenzy) Dell’Italia. Donna never knew her birth father. She was adopted by her grandparents, Lino and Lena (Wolanska) Favero and was raised by them and her mother. She attended St. Michael’s grammar school in Lyndhurst, N.J., St. Mary’s Villa Academy in Sloatburg, N.Y., and graduated from North Arlington, N.J. High School. Donna attended Rutgers University, but transferred to the Presbyterian Hospital (now Bloomfield College) School of Nursing. During nursing school, she attended Fairleigh Dickinson University and did her specialty training at New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and the Kessler Disability Hospital. She was chosen to be Queen of the Military Ball by the college Reserve Officers Training Corps. She became a Registered Nurse in 1966. She also attended Purdue University and received her BS in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University. She received an Indiana State Certified Mediator Certificate from Indiana State University.
She started her nursing career working for the maternal infant care program in the Central Ward of Newark, N.J. She cared for the mothers and babies that she served, even to the point of sneaking into the housing projects in the Central Ward during the Newark riots to make sure that the babies got their care and formula. She also served as an emergency room nurse for St. Michael’s Hospital in Newark.
In 1969, she moved to Lafayette for her husband’s new job. While in Lafayette she served as the part-time volunteer librarian as St. Lawrence School. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Family Service Agency and the Treasurer of the Lafayette Kennel Club. She raised Champion Arabian Horses, Great Danes, Dalmatians and Border Collies. She earned a private pilot’s license and helped manage the Frankfort Airport. In addition, she was the owner of Rembrandt Homes, a Lafayette Builder. Donna was also a CASA volunteer.
In 1992, she was the Democratic candidate for State Representative in District 41. She did not win but got more votes than Bill Clinton in the district.
Donna returned to nursing, first at the adolescent psychology unit at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Arbor Hospital. Donna moved to nursing management as Supervisor of disability and rehabilitation nurse managers for the four-state area. Thereafter she served as Health Administrator for the Anne Arundel County Detention Center (Annapolis, Md.) and for the Maryland House of Corrections, and the Maryland House Maximum Security Center. Donna became Director of Field Operations for National Health Services, supervising the health care centers in 21 prisons in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Donna was responsible for the planning, licensing and accrediting of the first in-patient mental health unit at the State Correctional Institution at Pittsburgh. Donna became Director of Operations for Coastal Correctional Healthcare responsible for five Illinois prison hospitals. She also served as an Operations Consultant for Wexford Health Services, where she provided management for troubled contracts in Wyoming, Ohio, and Atlanta, Ga. She then retired.
Donna then unretired, and became Director of the Adult Management Practice at IU Medical Group, Donna later became the Geriatrics Practice Manager for the IU Medical Group. Then she retired.
Donna, unretired again, and became Practice Manager for the Cardiac Group at Community Hospital. She then retired again.
Donna, unretired again, and became the Practice Manager for the IU Health Specialty Clinic at Spring Mill. In 2010, she was named Employee of the Year by the Gastroenterology Division. In 2015, she really retired.
Because of Covid-19 pandemic, there will be no services at this time. Family and Friends may share a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at arnmortuary.com.