Donna Boothe

Donna Boothe was a woman whose warmth could light up a room and whose laughter lingered like the scent of fresh-baked bread—comforting, familiar, and always welcome. She was a devoted mother, a doting grandmother, and the kind of person who never let anyone leave her house without a full belly and an even fuller heart. She loved deeply, gave generously, and never missed an opportunity to remind those around her just how much they meant to her. Family was her world, and in her presence, everyone felt like family. Whether you were one of her beloved great-grandchildren, a neighbor in need of a meal, or just passing through, you knew one thing for sure, Mawmaw loved you.

Born on June 4, 1942, in Logan, West Virginia, Donna grew up surrounded by the rolling hills of Appalachia, a land rich with tradition, faith, and family. The daughter of Robert and Ruth (Buchanan) Gibson, she was one of five children—Lorine, Melba, Gloria, and Bobby Jr. raised between the small towns of West Virginia and Kentucky. She grew up in a world of Baptist preachers and tobacco farmers, learning early on the value of faith, resilience, and hard work. Her father, a preacher himself, would sing “Victory in Jesus” to her, a melody that carried through her life as a reminder of love, devotion, and unshakable faith.

Donna married the love of her life, Dick, at the United Methodist Church in Dowagiac, Michigan. Together, they built a life filled with love, adventure, and, of course, a house full of dogs—Schnauzers, to be exact, with names as playful as their owners: Mickey, Minnie, and Charlie Brown. She and Dick traveled, taking cruises and making cherished trips to Disney, where her love for Mickey Mouse grew into a full-fledged collection. But for all the places she visited, home was always her favorite destination—especially if it was filled with family.

Her son, Wendell “Wink” Runyon Jr., was her pride and joy, and their bond was something special. She was his hero, and he was her world. Donna had a way of making every single person in her life feel like they were the most important, but when it came to Wink, it was undeniable, he was her heart. As Wink grew up, his grandparents, Robert and Ruth, lived with them, and Donna took on the role of caretaker with grace and love. She believed in opening her home to those who needed it, whether it was family, a friend in need, or even a stranger who could use a meal and a couch to sleep on.

Donna was the embodiment of dedication, something she proved every single day as she made the long drive from Mattawan to Zeeland, Michigan, for her job as a store secretary at Meijer. It didn’t matter if there was rain, snow, or hail—she showed up, and she gave it her all. Her commitment didn’t go unnoticed; she won numerous awards for her work, but more than that, she won the respect and admiration of everyone around her. After more than 20 years, she retired, but she never stopped being the kind of person who gave her best to everything she did.

If there was one thing Donna never missed, it was a chance to be there for her kids and grandkids. From school events to sporting games, she was always in the stands, cheering the loudest and beaming with pride. If you spent even five minutes with her, you’d know all about her grandkids and great-grandkids—she loved talking about them. To her, they were the greatest gift life had given her, and she made sure they knew it. She was also famous for one particular dish—her coleslaw, with its & “secret ingredient”: Marzetti’s coleslaw dressing.

Outside of family, Donna found joy in simple things: gardening, watching birds, being outdoors. She was happiest with her hands in the dirt, planting flowers, or sitting on the porch, enjoying the world around her. Though she loved her Michigan home, when the winter months rolled in, she and Dick would escape to Texas. But no matter where she was, she always found a church to attend—faith was a constant in her life. She was always upbeat, always happy to be surrounded by loved ones, and always making sure everyone had a gift during the holidays.

As she got older, dementia began to take hold, a slow and painful shift that worsened after she lost Dick. But even then, her family rallied around her, taking turns caring for her, keeping her company, making sure she never felt alone. Eventually, she moved into a home, but not just any home—one that would allow her to bring her beloved little dog, Foxy. That was important. And just as she had been in life, she was a favorite there too. She had a habit of “helping” the staff—sometimes by sneaking their candy and junk food, especially ice cream. She’d never forget to grab an extra spoon so she could share with Foxy.

Donna’s life was a lesson in kindness, resilience, and love. She believed in forgiving and forgetting, in loving everybody, in always making people feel welcome. She believed in a hug at the door when you arrived and the kiss on the cheek when you left. She was the warm meal, the open heart, the unwavering presence of someone who truly, deeply cared.

And so, for those who loved her, Donna will never truly be gone. She will be in the scent of flowers in the garden, in the sound of laughter at a family gathering, in every spoonful of coleslaw at a cookout, and in every unexpected gift under the Christmas tree. She will be in the melody of an old hymn, in the hug you give before someone leaves, in the love that lingers long after she’s gone. Because that’s what Donna Boothe did best—she loved, and she made sure everyone around her felt it.

Donna Boothe, age 82, died on February 26. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Dick, her siblings: Lorine Elswick, Melba Wilkes, Gloria Farmer, Bobby Gibson Jr., and her parents. Surviving are her children: Wendell “Wink” (Carrie) Runyon Jr.; grandchildren: Nick Runyon, Jennifer (Jeff) Starner, Jonathan Runyon, and Dayna (Brent) Gillispie; Great Grandchildren: Austin (Makayla), Natilynn, Jayla, Kendall, Grayson, Dawsyn; and many grand puppies.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation on Thursday, March 6 from 4 – 6 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Burial to take place at a later date.

Celebrate Donna’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA of Southwest Michigan.