Obituary of Donna M. Richardson

Donna Marie Richardson died peacefully on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

Donna was born in 1936, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Thomas J. O’Leary and Modesta (Snyker) O’Leary. Donna attended grade school at St. Luke’s and high school at St. Joseph Academy in St. Paul. She also attended the University of Minnesota, where she became a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority.

She left Minnesota with her parents, traveled to the Southwest, and ultimately became a stewardess for Braniff Airlines in Dallas, Texas. Here, she met Edward Dean Richardson. They married in June, 1957, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Donna and Ed made their home in Tucson and raised two daughters.

Donna was involved in many groups and activities throughout her years in Tucson. She was a member St. Ambrose Parish and later St. Pius X Parish. She served on the Newman Sustaining Board at the University of Arizona. She was a member of Tri-T and was active with the alumnae chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta. She volunteered at St. Ambrose grade school and was a longtime volunteer of St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Donna had a great sense of humor and was a loving wife and a devoted mother. She had many dear friends she cherished from as early as grade school and all throughout her adult life. Donna lost her husband Ed of 51 years in 2008.

She is survived by her daughter, Shannon Terwedo (Randy), of Shingle Springs, California, her daughter, Shauna Cohen (Jerry), of Tucson, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mass of the Resurrection at St. Pius X Church, 10:00 am, Friday, October 6, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Donna M. Richardson to St. Jude’s Hospital https://raise.stjude.org/fundraiser/4976261 are greatly appreciated.