Obituary for DONNA DEAN DOMPIERRE (Ayotte)
Donna D. Dompierre, 87, of Maple St., Negaunee, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, January 20, 2022 at her home with her loving family at her side.
Donna was born May 27, 1934 in Ishpeming to Clifford and Pearl (Nault) Ayotte, received her early education at St. John’s school in Ishpeming, followed by graduation from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1952. She worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company as operator until Bell switched service to a dial system. Her last assignment with Bell was to make presentations on the use of dial telephones to local businesses and civic groups. She was then hired as a customer service employee at the office of the Michigan Gas and Electric Company on Main St., downtown Ishpeming. She left that job in the fall of 1959 to become a stay-at-home mother to the first of her four sons. She continued this important work until her youngest son entered high school in 1980. For the next 14 years Donna worked in the office of Turino Chiropractic with her very good friend and job-sharing partner, Harriet Maki. She left this job to be involved in other activities, especially living full-time at the family camp on Big Shag Lake from May through October every year.
Donna was noted for having a fine soprano singing voice which was developed at Ishpeming High School with guidance from her teacher and friend, Helen Bentley. After high school, she performed with the Ishpeming Choral Club, followed by the singing groups ‘Choraleers’ and ‘Allegro,’ and finally the St. Paul Concert Choir. Early in her married life she was involved with the Marquette Community Theater in performances which included a role in the musical, ‘Brigadoon.’ After the formation of the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council (PAAC), she performed for a number of years in musicals presented at the Vista Theater.
Donna believed that the greatest gift of all, to her, was to have her four sons and their entire families living in the Ishpeming and Negaunee Area. Each and every one of them brought her abundant joy and pride through their character and accomplishments. A multi-generational family gathering could occur on very short notice where a very good time would be had by all. Through all of her involvements in life she has established many friendships, and a large number of them considered her to be a ‘best friend.’ Her smile and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew her.
Surviving are her loving husband, David W. Dompierre; her four sons: David (Linda) and Dennis (Jill) both of Negaunee, Dean (Jill) of Ishpeming and Dan of Negaunee Township; three grandchildren: Anna (BJ) Noskey, Leah (Jared Kontio) Dompierre and Eric Dompierre; two great-grandchildren, Braileigh and Braiden Noskey; her brother, Robert ‘Gobby’ Ayotte, who has since recently passed away; nephews, Steve (Jilaine) and Mark (Carol) Ayotte; and nieces, Cindy (Jim) Branch and Michelle (Fran Nelson) Pirkola. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister-in-law, Jean Ayotte.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 27th at St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 AM until the start of Mass at Noon at the church on Friday, and also at a luncheon immediately following services at the Negaunee Elks Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Donna’s memory to the Ishpeming High School Vocal Music Program. Please remit contributions to the Dompierre Family, 1105 Maple St., Negaunee, MI 49866, who would like to match all donations.
Donna’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to nurse, Paula Tasson and social worker, Courtney Frantz from UP Home Health & Hospice. Their commitment to their work was inspiring and their presence gave comfort to all during Donna’s remaining weeks.
Mrs. Dompierre’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com
Donna was born May 27, 1934 in Ishpeming to Clifford and Pearl (Nault) Ayotte, received her early education at St. John’s school in Ishpeming, followed by graduation from Ishpeming High School, Class of 1952. She worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company as operator until Bell switched service to a dial system. Her last assignment with Bell was to make presentations on the use of dial telephones to local businesses and civic groups. She was then hired as a customer service employee at the office of the Michigan Gas and Electric Company on Main St., downtown Ishpeming. She left that job in the fall of 1959 to become a stay-at-home mother to the first of her four sons. She continued this important work until her youngest son entered high school in 1980. For the next 14 years Donna worked in the office of Turino Chiropractic with her very good friend and job-sharing partner, Harriet Maki. She left this job to be involved in other activities, especially living full-time at the family camp on Big Shag Lake from May through October every year.
Donna was noted for having a fine soprano singing voice which was developed at Ishpeming High School with guidance from her teacher and friend, Helen Bentley. After high school, she performed with the Ishpeming Choral Club, followed by the singing groups ‘Choraleers’ and ‘Allegro,’ and finally the St. Paul Concert Choir. Early in her married life she was involved with the Marquette Community Theater in performances which included a role in the musical, ‘Brigadoon.’ After the formation of the Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council (PAAC), she performed for a number of years in musicals presented at the Vista Theater.
Donna believed that the greatest gift of all, to her, was to have her four sons and their entire families living in the Ishpeming and Negaunee Area. Each and every one of them brought her abundant joy and pride through their character and accomplishments. A multi-generational family gathering could occur on very short notice where a very good time would be had by all. Through all of her involvements in life she has established many friendships, and a large number of them considered her to be a ‘best friend.’ Her smile and sense of humor will be missed by all who knew her.
Surviving are her loving husband, David W. Dompierre; her four sons: David (Linda) and Dennis (Jill) both of Negaunee, Dean (Jill) of Ishpeming and Dan of Negaunee Township; three grandchildren: Anna (BJ) Noskey, Leah (Jared Kontio) Dompierre and Eric Dompierre; two great-grandchildren, Braileigh and Braiden Noskey; her brother, Robert ‘Gobby’ Ayotte, who has since recently passed away; nephews, Steve (Jilaine) and Mark (Carol) Ayotte; and nieces, Cindy (Jim) Branch and Michelle (Fran Nelson) Pirkola. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister-in-law, Jean Ayotte.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Friday, May 27th at St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 AM until the start of Mass at Noon at the church on Friday, and also at a luncheon immediately following services at the Negaunee Elks Lodge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Donna’s memory to the Ishpeming High School Vocal Music Program. Please remit contributions to the Dompierre Family, 1105 Maple St., Negaunee, MI 49866, who would like to match all donations.
Donna’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to nurse, Paula Tasson and social worker, Courtney Frantz from UP Home Health & Hospice. Their commitment to their work was inspiring and their presence gave comfort to all during Donna’s remaining weeks.
Mrs. Dompierre’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com