Donna Ann Woodard Gilroy

July 11, 1947 ~ November 10, 2011
Donna Ann Woodard Gilroy, formerly of Blanding, UT, passed away at her home in Cumberland, OH on November 10, 2011.
Donna was born to Chris Morris and Emily Hoskins Woodard on July 11, 1947 in Raton, NM.
Donna had three brothers, Dan, Dennis and Donovan Woodard. She had many memories of having to live with “rotten” brothers and shared many stories about the many escapades that they had.
Amongst her favorites is the story about the grasshoppers on the barb wire fence and the burning of the outhouse to rid it of the spiders.
She told of hard times growing up as kids, living in a house that the birds flew in and out of the roof and ceiling, but also knew that she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Chris and Emily Woodard.
Donna was a 1965 graduate of Moffat County High School in Craig, CO. It was in Craig that she gave birth to her daughter LaDawn, who she named after her good friend at Moffat County High School, LaDawn Seick.
Donna moved to Blanding, UT where she studied to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. During her time in Blanding, she worked at San Juan Care Center, the Blanding Clinic, Blanding EMT squad, worked on the life flight, cleaned Utah Power and Light building, did insurance quotes and also worked at Pronto Convenience Store.
Some of her favorite times were spent at Recapture, fishing on her favorite rock. She loved going hunting with her brothers and dad and loved Danny’s Dutch oven potatoes. If she couldn’t be found at home, she could usually be found out at the lake fishing.
Donna loved dancing and laughed many times at telling how Dennis could fling her around the dance floor like a rag doll. She also loved to do crafts and loved County Music. She loved yard sales and loved getting a good deal.
Donna often sang and her favorite song was “One Day at A Time”. She loved her dogs and will be missed terribly by Tammy and Rusty.
Donna moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1989. She worked in several nursing homes and babysat her granddaughter Shantyl from the time she was born in 1993.
Shantyl and Donna were two peas in a pod. They could always be found hunting good bargains and antiques at yard sales and going shopping. Donna passed on her love of shoes to her granddaughter and her love of getting a good deal.
In later years, she passed along the shopping bug to Kara and Zac and had a ball taking them shopping at Sam’s Club, letting them get anything and everything that they wanted.
Donna decided to move to Ohio to be closer to her family in September of 2010. Donna made several friends while she was in Ohio and could often be seen, sitting on her porch “making sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to”.
Donna is survived by her daughter LaDawn (Justin), grandchildren Shantyl, Kara (Bill) and Zac; brothers Dan (Laura) Woodard of Enoch, UT, Dennis (Ila) Woodard of Fort Lupton, CO and Donovan (Chris) Woodard of Moab, UT; nieces Dana and ReNae; and nephews Brad, Chris, Justin, Aaron and Coy. She is also survived by several uncles, aunts and cousins.
Donna is also survived by several special friends: Ernie Sanchez, Judy Carpenter, Fran Bierwagen, Cheri Crockett, Jolene Vonende, Diane Naranjo and Chris Eibel.
Donna touched many people throughout her life as a nurse, and friend. She will be missed by many.
Donna’s wishes were to buried with her mother and father in Dove Creek, CO. A celebration of her life will be held in the Spring in Dove Creek.