Donna Niehous

Donna Niehous passed peacefully on December 3, 2021. She was born on November 18th, 1930 to Frederick and Edith Weiss. She was a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, friend and sister. Donna grew up in Toledo and graduated from St. Ursula Academy in 1948. She went on to The University of Toledo where she graduated cum laude with an undergraduate degree in Education and a Masters degree in Psychology. She was very proud when she became a member of the Homecoming Court in 1952. She taught 4th grade for 5 years at Burroughs School and loved every minute of it. Very few of her family and friends have escaped hearing the story of the life-sized papier-mache cow that her class made for the Christmas crèche (back when one was owed such things). She delighted each time she encountered many of her students as the years passed by. Donna met Bill on a blind date which led to a wonderful 59 year marriage. They were married in July of 1954 in a ceremony attended by her entire 4th grade class. Just 10 days later, Bill went off to Korea for 18 months. . When Bill returned from Korea, he began his career with Owens-Illinois. At that point, they could not have envisioned where his career would take them. They first moved to Vineland, N.J. in 1957. They loved living there and made very close, life-long friends. In 1967 they were transferred to Mexico City, a lively and sophisticated city where more lifelong friendships were nurtured. In 1971 they moved to Madrid, Spain and had a wonderful four years traveling Europe, skiing, and sightseeing. Donna also saw a lot of golf courses from the seat of the golf cart! In 1974 they moved to Caracas, Venezuela, a move that, needless to say, did not end well. Donna and their sons returned to Toledo, Ohio in 1977 with Bill returning safely in 1979. They settled in Ottawa Hills. Donna was always active in various organizations and gave freely of her time. In Mexico and Spain she was a pink Lady at the American-British Hospital, frequently the first English-speaking voice the grateful patients heard. While in Spain, she had the great opportunity to lead tours of the Prado Museum. Upon returning home, Donna became a docent and an Ambassador(Aide) at the Toledo Museum of Art. She was a docent for 21 years and an Ambassador for many years. She served as President, program chairman, yearly trip chairman and on various other committees within the Museum. She served on the board of the Toledo Day Nursery for six years, was the chairman of the cookbook (What's Good to Eat) committee for WGTE, active with the Christ Child Society and worked behind the scenes with Partners in Education, and organization in which Bill was also deeply involved. She was a member of Corpus Christi parish where she was a lector and Eucharistic minister. She also found time to get involved in committees within the Toledo Symphony, the Toledo Botanical Gardens, the Toledo Zoo (which she truly loved), and the Toledo Country Club. She was, at different periods in her life, an avid skier and equestrian and a lousy golfer and tennis player. She ran and later she walked several miles every day for many years. She was an avid reader, a real movie buff, and loved to dance! She was at her happiest on the beach in the sun with a book. Sun worshipping was quite different many years ago (remember baby oil) and she will be the first to tell you she paid for that later in life. She would also quickly tell you that she would not change a thing. With her education background, it was almost impossible for her to refrain from correcting the family's grammar and silently correcting everyone else's! Donna loved holidays, spending countless hours decorating the house and preparing wonderful meals. She loved her family and was blessed with a wide circle of friends and supporters. Donna loved entertaining and after driving her family crazy during her preparations, she was a relaxed and successful hostess. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, Fred and Edith Weiss, her brother Fritz Weiss, in-laws, Henry and Ruth Niehous, her dear son David and her beloved dog/companion Tuxedo. She is survived by two sons, Mark(Karen) and Craig(Nancy), four grandchildren, Allison(Derrick )Short, Vaughn, Michael and Anne, and three great-grandchildren Gunnar, June and Walker Short, along with her more- sister- than -sister-in-law, Judith Swayne. A visitation will be held at Walker Funeral (5155 Sylvania Avenue) home on Friday, December 10, 2021 between the hours of 4 and 7 P.M. We will also have memorial service at Corpus Christi Church (University Parish, 2955 Dorr Street) at 10:00 A.M. on December 11, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Toledo Area Humane Society (827 Illinois Ave., Maumee, Ohio, 43537); St. Ursula Academy (4025 Indian Rd., Toledo, Ohio, 43606); or Corpus Christi Parish (2955 Dorr St.,Toledo, Ohio, 43607).