On the evening of November 12, 2015, Heaven gained another Angel as Donna McCullough was welcomed into the waiting arms of The Lord. Following a two year battle with pancreatic cancer, Donna passed away peacefully at the age of 72 in the family home surrounded by her husband and four children.
Donna was born in Payette, Idaho on August 19, 1943 to her parents Walter Merrill and Ruth Mae Ginther. Her father worked for the railroad and government and the family moved several times throughout the pacific NW during her childhood. The family finally ended up in Billings, MT in 1959, where she met the love of her life and best friend, Duane McCullough. Duane and Donna were married in Billings on August 25, 1962. They resided in Billings until July 1996 when Duane, who worked for Super Valu, was transferred to Washington. Duane worked in Tacoma but they resided in Gig Harbor, WA. Duane retired in 1998, until July 2004 when they moved back to Montana. Duane had retired from Super Valu in 1998 and began work as an income tax accountant and consultant. In 2004, they moved back to Montana to the vacation home on the shore of Canyon Ferry Reservoir they had purchased while living in Billings.
Donna loved children and this was demonstrated by the in home day care business she operated in Billings for many years. She was also a people person and loved her job as a food demo associate at Costco in Helena. She had many wonderful special friends whom she loved dearly.
Donna is survived by her husband Duane and their four children, Greg McCullough (Jim Timberman), Kami McCullough Cater (Billy), Tanya McCullough (Andy Elliott), Scott McCullough (Camilla), sister Barbara Chord, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren
Donna was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Ruth Ginther, brother-in-law Dick Chord, mother and father-in-law Bob and Mabel McCullough and two brothers-in-law, Warren and Mark McCullough and two sets of grandparents.
Cremation has taken place. A Rosary will be held 7:00 pm. Thursday, November 19th at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 120 West Riggs Street, East Helena, Montana. The funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, on Friday November 20th , with a reception to follow. No gravesite services will be held at this time.
Donna and her family want to offer a very special thank you to Dr. Justin Thomas and his team at St. Peter’s Cancer Center, as well as the Hospice team from St. Peter’s Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, Donna’s wish was that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Road, Missoula, MT 59808 in her honor.
Service Schedule
Rosary
7:00 p.m.
Thursday November 19, 2015
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Friday November 20, 2015
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the Service
Friday November 20, 2015
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church Reception Hall
,
Service Schedule
Rosary
7:00 p.m.
Thursday November 19, 2015
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Friday November 20, 2015
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church
120 Riggs Street
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Following the Service
Friday November 20, 2015
SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church Reception Hall
,
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Jeanne Stecher says
So sorry to read of your lose of your Donna. I pray you will have God’s arms wrapped around you and your family as you heal from this two year ordeal. I remember the grace of God and my faith in him was what enabled my family to come through thirty eight years ago. Known that you have our prayers. Jeanne & Willie Stecher
Nora and Tom Bazuin says
Duane, we are so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. I always enjoyed my chats with Donna and she will be missed. May God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time. God bless.
Danielle & Chris Fowler says
Duane,
We are so truly sorry to hear about Donna. We have been thinking of you both since we left the lake at the end of the summer. She was a wonderful woman and will be missed by all her heart has touched. Hugs to you and your family.
Love, Danielle & Chris
Janice and Stuart Doggett says
Duane and family,
We were so sorry to learn of Donna’s passing. Her obituary highlighted a life well lived and she was clearly a wonderful spouse, mother and friend who will be missed by many. God bless your family at this time.
Janice and Stuart Doggett
Chris and Tom Manning says
Duane and Family,
We were so very sorry to hear of Donna’s passing – she cared lovingly for our children, Noelle, Kimberly, and Philip many years ago. We often talk about ‘our Donna’ and have been forever grateful that she and your beautiful family were in our lives those formative years. She was one of God’s truly special people.
With Prayerful Thoughts,
Chris and Tom Manning – Billings MT
Mildred Poland and Patti Hook says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those Donna left behind.
We send our love.
Jeff Schmidt says
Duane and Family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. I wanted to thank you Donna for your friendship with my parents and our family. So many good memories. I was hunting last week and thought about the old days.
Take care,
Jeff Schmidt
wynnette (Seidlitz) Maddox says
Duane ~
So sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. Cherish the memories, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
wynnette (Seidlitz) Maddox
Valerie Meissel Jensen says
Duane and Family,
My prayers are with you at this time. Donna took the best care of Matthew and he remembers and treasures his childhood caretaker. She is one of the sweetest, kindest
women I ever met and I felt very fortunate to know you. May God be with you always,
Val Meissel Jensen
Lowell & Juliet Hahn says
We are so sorry for the family’s loss. Donna was such a bright joyful light every time we saw her. She is surely still shinning bright from above. Thoughts and prayers with you all during this sad time. Sending love – Lowell & Juliet Hahn
Sean and Mary Jo Murray says
Duane and family…
So saddened to hear of your dear Donna’s passing.
She was a special person to so many and provided such loving care for our three children; Meaghan, Bryan, and Caitlin. We were blessed to have Donna in the lives of our children and to know you and your family. Our prayers are with you all. God bless. —Sean & Mary Jo Murray, Salt Lake City, UT
Stephanie, Greg, and Megan Harris says
The McCullough Family,
What a wonderful, thoughtful, and loving women. We will miss her so much. So many wonderful memories of your mother that crossed my mind at different times throughout the week thinking of her. My sweetest memory was watching Duane and Donna on the boat coasting through the reflection of the moon on Canyon Ferry. Moments like these are treasured, they lay deep in our hearts and will never be forgotten. We love you.
Steph
Greg and Madge allen says
Dear Duanne, we are so sorry to read about Donna’s passing! She was a very warm and delightful person and we will miss her. We pray that you and your family feel God’s comfort and support during this difficult time. We hope to see you this summer. With all our sympathy, Greg and Madge Allen
Randy Goldade says
Hi Duwane
Sorry to here of Donna’s passing. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Randy