Donna A. Glowacki

There is on old saying that life does not present any of us with more than we can handle. If we look around even just a little we can see that that isn't true. The true statement is that the world does not give us more than we can handle...alone. Donna Glowacki knew the necessity of caring companionship and friendship in this world. Whether it was at the Hope Network Side by Side Program or within her own family, Donna dedicated her life to helping make others' more comfortable.

The year 1924 was full of new excitement in the United States. New York's Computer Tabulating Recording Company was re-organized into what we all know as the International Business Machines Corp. or IBM. Walt Disney created his first cartoon, "Alice's Wonderland" and the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade took place in the streets of Manhattan. However, for Robert and Beatrice (Basford) Cross, the biggest excitement was a little closer to home. 1924 was the year that they celebrated the birth of their eldest child. On the 24th of April, their daughter Donna was born.

Donna was the oldest of what would become a family of 12. She led the pack of twelve with Betty, Carol, Allen, Lois, June, David, Joan, Gloria, Richard, Jerry, and Diane to follow. Donna grew up in Baldwin, but later moved to Grand Rapids. She never finished high school so that she could take care of her siblings, but when she got older she went back to school and obtained her GED.

While working for Parker Motor Freight, Donna was set up on a blind date with a man who also worked for Parker. Ted Glowacki was the man's name and ever since that first date, well, everything is history as they say. Ted and Donna were married on the 10th of September, 1949 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church of Grand Rapids.

Ted and Donna were the proud parents of four beautiful children, Paul, Mark, Nancy, and Ann. When the children were younger Donna was very active in their schooling as a member of the PTA and through helping with other activities as they came along. Education was very important to Donna. In light of her not being able to, she was especially proud of them when they graduated from high school.

Her children remember eating family dinners together and have fond memories of their family summer vacations. They traveled all around the Midwest and beyond, from the Upper Peninsula, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana to Wisconsin, New York, Canada, and Missouri.

Donna was referred to Hope Network's Side By Side Program through Senior Companions and she volunteered for the Side By Side Program for many years. She enjoyed taking care of people whether it was her family or those at Side By Side. For hobbies Donna had a long list of activities, knitting, sewing, reading, completing crosswords and puzzles, stamp collecting, and baking. Once the children were grown she went back to work at a card shop then went to work for Herpolsheimers.

It seemed that Donna was always busy with something, but when it came to the bottom line there was nothing more important to her or to Ted than their family. From their summer vacations to celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren, family was at the center of their lives. It was one month after their 36th wedding anniversary, on the 10th of October, 1985, that Donna and her children mourned the death of Ted.

There is no questioning of what the bond of family means when seen in the eyes of grandchildren. Donna loved being able to spend time with her three grandchildren and her entire family. It is her family that will miss her most. Through the countless acts of generosity and compassion, the memory of Donna Glowacki will live on through the love she has left behind for us to share.

Mrs. Donna A. Glowacki (Cross) of Grand Rapids died on Tuesday, January 24, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted Glowacki; three sisters and two brothers. Donna's family includes her children Paul Glowacki, Mark Glowacki, Nancy (Kim) Kranich, Ann Glaz; grandchildren Chris Glowacki, Nathan Kranich, Samantha Kranich; siblings Carol Cole, Allen Ghent, Joan Gallentine, Gloria Schafer, Richard Ghent, and Diane Mills.

Friends are invited to meet with Donna's family on Friday, January 27, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes-Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. The Lifestory funeral will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 11 AM at the same location. Interment will be at the Holy Cross Cemetery. Please visit Donna's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution in Donna's name to the Hope Network Side By Side Program, 1256 Walker NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.