Donna C. Davoren

Donna Christian Davoren passed away peacefully on March 27, 2024, at Norman Regional Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma, after having endured a number of health setbacks. She is survived by her devoted husband, Russ; a loving son, Christopher; maternal aunt, Martha Mahaffey (Ted); nephew, Ray Dean Christian; niece, Jennifer Porter; brother-in-law, Albert Joseph Davoren; and twin sisters-in-law, Tricia Davoren and Pamela Davoren. Donna was predeceased by her mother, Marjorie; father, Raymond; and younger brother, Joey.

Born in Little Rock, Arkansas on April 11, 1946, Donna spent her formative and formal education years there. Like so many young ladies, she honed her various homemaking and stitching skills in handicraft guided by her own mother’s hands, a skill she applied, with heart, years later making fabric Christmas ornaments for Church fundraising bazaars and enjoying cross stitch and sewing as hobbies. She also was an avid, lifelong book reader.

In 1968, at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, Donna earned a BA Degree in Chemistry that she applied several years later working in the Air Quality Division of Arkansas Pollution Control.

More importantly, while in college, she met and fell in love with her future husband, Russ, who had a high degree of personality and reliability, and, as she ultimately discovered – love and fidelity. During her college years, Donna, on her own, took instructions and decided to convert to Catholicism. Following their graduation in 1968, Donna Christian and Russ Davoren exchanged the solemn vows of Holy Matrimony on December 28, 1968 in what would be a solid and enviable 55-year example of loving support throughout the entirety of their marriage. On their 50th Wedding Anniversary, they received a Papal Blessing for their marriage.

Russ joined the Air Force immediately after college. So, after a brief honeymoon, Donna faithfully followed her husband to his assignment in Duluth, Minnesota, where he was an Air Traffic Controller for the Air Force. While stationed in Duluth, their son, Christopher, was born. Upon completing his time in the Air Force, Russ was hired as a civilian controller with the FAA in Duluth.

In 1974 the family moved back to Donna’s roots where they settled in North Little Rock for another 14 years. During this time, Donna attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where she earned a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science, using it as a Research Librarian at the Little Rock Library. Later she worked for the Arkansas Department of Higher Education as a Research Analyst.

In 1989 the family moved after Russ was accepted to teach at the FAA Academy based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They settled in Norman, where Donna spent several years as a Budget Analyst at the University of Oklahoma. She and Russ retired there and have remained ever since, treasuring the many bonds and friends they have formed.

During her lifetime, Donna has proven to be devoted and loyal to all her family and friends, and the many service organizations with which she has been affiliated. At Immaculate Conception Parish in North Little Rock and St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Norman, she has been a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, as well as St. Bridget’s Guild. Donna and her husband, collectively, have been service-minded individuals constantly working for the “Greater Good,” culminating in their numerous volunteer hours and projects as active members of their local Rotary Clubs, dedicating their lives to Rotary projects that also result in positive outcomes nationally, and around the world.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following organizations:

St. Vincent de Paul Society

https://svdpokc.org/donate/

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/donate.html

Rotary Foundation

https://www.rotary.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give

The Monks of Norcia

https://en.nursia.org/donations.html