You may have heard somebody say that "so-and-so is the smartest one in the room," or the prettiest, or the funniest. Donna Marie Weitz was the kindest one in the room, the gentlest, in some ways the strongest. Her life was governed by a simple question: "What is the most thoughtful thing to do?" A friend tells the story of how, unknown to Donna, she once saw Donna return a grocery cart twenty yards to the rack in a blizzard, then go back to help return a second cart an elderly stranger was having trouble pushing in the slushy roadway. Outward kindness, and inward grace, shone bright through Donna, every day.

She was born Sept 1, 1956, the middle child in a loving, working class Southern Baptist family in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Her parents had moved north for the auto jobs. Donna worked her way through community college and Wayne State with a number of odd jobs, including babysitter, receptionist, bookkeeper, and her least favorite – cowgirl at a Roy Rogers burger joint, where "Happy trails, pard'ner," was the required farewell to customers.

Donna's educational drive culminated in a Master's degree in Social Work. Over the decades, she worked in private practice, in hospitals, and for Livonia Public Schools. Her primary focus was on uplifting emotionally impaired children and their families. In all of her jobs, Donna was universally respected by both peers and clients..

Donna's life was not without severe challenges, the worst being the tragic loss of her beloved husband, Steven Weitz, in a car accident in 2009.

Donna was deeply committed to doing what she could to reverse the decline of civility and charitable behavior she perceived in recent years. Her response was to always give more of herself to others, and to always model the values she treasured – charity, tolerance, gratitude, and the Golden Rule. In that spirit, she volunteered for and generously supported causes committed to uplifting communities, families, and the beauty of the natural world.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Mabel Gupton, and by her late husband Steven Weitz. She is survived by siblings Linda (Tim) Bucko and Bill (Anne) Gupton, by niece and nephews Elizabeth (Joe), Brian (Susan), and Neil (Krystal), by eight precious grand nieces and nephews, by dear Uncle Harry, by stepsons Keaton (Megan) and Kevin, grandchildren Cora and Stella, and by her husband Bill O. Smith, who will hold Donna's gentle presence forever in his heart, and who promises (many times over) that he won't forget to clean the litter box every day.

To honor Donna's spirit, please donate, in lieu of flowers, extra time or treasure to your favorite charity. Donna's own favorites include the Grand Traverse Community Foundation, Cherryland Humane Society, Munson Hospice, and Grand Traverse Regional Conservancy.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1pm to honor Donna on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with a visitation starting at Noon. You are invited to share thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

What is the measure of a good life? To Donna, it was how much love has been a part of that life, love given and love received. Donna Marie Weitz lived a good life, the very best..

Happy trails, pard'ner, until we meet again.