DONAHUE, Virginia

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Published Saturday, March 12, 2011 - Virginia “Denny” Franklin Donahue passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, March 9th, 2011, at the age of 85. A memorial service will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at the Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave. in Phoenix. Denny was born in Los Angeles, Calif. to parents Lou Ila Madden and Aubrey Evan Franklin. Before her marriage to James Lewis Donahue of Plattsburg, Mo., in 1946, she worked in the aerospace industry as a “Rosie the Riveter” and helped build airplanes to support America’s effort during World War II. She would continue working in the aerospace industry for the majority of her early career. She and James remained in the Los Angeles area until the early 1960's, when they, along with children Saundra Sue and Don Lewis, moved to Lake Havasu City, where they were among the original 50 families that established the town. Denny and James ran the first automotive service station in Lake Havasu and also established a vending machine business that serviced all of Northwestern Arizona. They retired to Cottonwood, Ariz., where they lived for many years before moving Phoenix. Denny is survived by her two children, Don Lewis Donahue and Saundra Sue McGee, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Eula Lee Geissert and Mary Lou Nadler. Denny’s gentle, caring nature was counterbalanced by an adventurous spirit. She was, among other things, an avid skier and held a private pilot’s license for many years. Always active in her community, Denny volunteered with many civic organizations and at hospitals well into her seventies. She was an accomplished painter and excelled in making a variety of arts and crafts, including stuffed animals and Christmas ornaments. She was loved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.