Donna J. Jordan

Donna Jeanne Valerio Jordan (nee Milosh), age 90, was called home on August 9, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family in her final days and died peacefully in her home with support from the staff of Traditions at West Park Place and Ohio Living Hospice. She was preceded in death by husbands Albert Valerio and Kenneth Jordan, sister Carol Semler and grandson David “DJ” Valerio Jr. Donna is survived by her devoted sister Mildred Toda, children Kim (Brian) Darr, Gary Valerio, David Valerio, Roger (Karen) Valerio, 7 step-children, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

With a lifelong calling to care for others, Donna worked as a social worker in her younger years. She had a notable career as the Executive Director of the Huntington Farms community center (now known as Sylvania Area Family Services) from 1972 until 1987 and even received a Ray of Hope Award for her contributions to the community. After she retired, her passions included traveling, gardening, doing crossword puzzles, playing Bunco, gambling and most of all- spending time with her family. Donna has touched the lives of many and her legacy of love, kindness and quick wit will live on in the hearts of her friends and family. A care-taker to the very end, Donna leaves these words to comfort those she left behind:

When I'm gone

when it comes the end of my journey

and I travel my last weary mile

just forget if you can that I ever frowned

and remember only my smile.

Forget unkind words I have spoken

remember some good I have done

forget that I ever had heartache

and remember I had lots of fun.

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered

and sometimes fell by the way.

Remember I have thought some hard battles

and won at the close of the day.

Then forget to grieve for my going

I wouldn't have you sad for a day

but in summer just gather some flowers

and remember the place where I lay

and come in the shade of the evening

when the sun paints the sky in the West

stand for a few moments beside me

and remember only my best.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Walker Funeral Home (5155 W. Sylvania Ave.) from 9:30 am – 11 am with a funeral service beginning at 11 am. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to Ohio Living Hospice (www.ohioliving.org) or The Site Center of North West Ohio (www.sightcentertoledo.org) in Donna's name.