Donna Oas

Donna Jean Billington Oas, Professor, world traveler, triathlete, and devoted matriarch, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2025, at the age of 95.

Born in Flint, Michigan on November 24, 1929, Donna came into the world during the Great Depression, a challenging time that shaped her resilient and determined spirit. She was the beloved daughter of Don and Julia (Parrent) Billington and grew up alongside her sisters, Millie and Diane, helping raise her younger sister after their mother passed away. Much of her childhood was spent on her family’s 98-acre farm in Otisville, where she learned the values of hard work and caring for others.

A proud alumna of Flint Central High School (Class of 1947), Donna pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, initially studying chemistry before discovering her passion for speech pathology. She earned her AB in Speech Correction in 1951 and later obtained a master’s degree in Speech and Hearing from Western Michigan University in 1966.

Her academic career spanned decades at Western Michigan University, where she served as a highly respected professor from 1966 to 2011. Donna mentored and supervised more than 1,000 speech pathology students in their clinical practicums. She was especially proud of her work treating children with cleft palates, both throughout southern Michigan and abroad. Sponsored by Smile Train, Donna joined a medical mission to India where she offered compassionate care to children in need.

In 1953, Donna married the love of her life, Reynold “Renny” Oas. Their marriage of 52 years was filled with adventure, laughter, and deep devotion. Donna and Renny had six children in just six and a half years, filling their home with energy, love, and lively stories. Donna cherished her role as a mother, grandmother to eleven, and great-grandmother to one. Her family was her joy, and she attended most of her grandchildren’s graduations from college.

Throughout her distinguished career, Donna received recognition for her enduring contributions to education and the community. In 2019, she was honored as an “Unsung Hero Impact” Winner by the Hannan Center’s '70 Over 70 Next Chapter Awards,' celebrating her lifelong commitment to service. She also served as vice chair of the Western Michigan University Emeriti Council during the 2017–2018 academic year, reflecting her continued dedication to academic leadership and the university community.

Donna led a rich and vibrant life outside of her professional achievements. She was a faithful Catholic and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She believed strongly that women belonged in the workforce, and she was highly organized, deeply welcoming, and known for creating community wherever she went— whether as an active member of the Paw Paw Service League, Kalamazoo Newcomers Club, or starting a Bridge club at The Artisan.

She and Renny were health enthusiasts who gave up smoking together and embraced a love for triathlons and road races, proudly collecting medals (often more than Renny!). Donna loved to recount the tradition of grabbing a beer after completing a 5K. An avid traveler and lifelong learner, she visited countries around the globe—including India, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica, and the UK—always documenting her experiences in detailed travel journals. She also biked across France, England, and Ireland.

Donna had a tender heart for animals, especially her beloved dog, Brandi, for whom she commissioned a memorial bench. She loved nature, the arts, and spirited conversation. With humor, intellect, and warmth, she made every space feel like home.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband Reynold, her parents Donnie and Julia, and her sisters Millie and Diane. She is survived by her beloved children: Terrence (Elizabeth), Catherine, Daniel (Karleen), John (Jan), James (Beth), and Julia (Don Gloo); eleven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and the many students and colleagues whose lives she touched.

Mass will be celebrated in Donna’s memory on Friday, May 2 at 11 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church. A private burial will take place. A celebration of life reception will follow at Artisan, Heritage Community at 2:30 PM. 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 Smile Train. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.

Donna lived her full life with compassion, courage, and curiosity. She lived with intention and left the world far better than she found it.