Donna L. Blackburn

Donna L. Blackburn, aged 90, died peacefully July 18 in Cheshire, CT., surrounded by her loving family. Donna formerly resided on Holmes Road in the town of Lee, where she had moved with her family in 1972. She was active as an elder and choir member at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Chestnut Street, Rome.

At the time of her death, Donna was a resident of Marbridge Retirement Center in Cheshire. She was predeceased in 2012 by her husband of 54 years, Lt. Col (ret.) Frank Blackburn, and by her son, James, who passed in 2018. Donna Jean Logan was born on April 1, 1936, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, to Harry Logan, a jeweler, and her mother, Ann (Shymansky) Logan. When Donna was a teenager her family, which included brothers Robert and William, moved to Bloomsburg, PA, where her father opened his own jewelry store. Robert, 94, survives; William died in2019.

Donna graduated from Bloomsburg High School in 1954 and then from Geisinger Medical Center School of Nursing in 1957. While working as a surgical nurse at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina, Donna met her future husband, Frank, a lieutenant and fighter pilot in the Air Force. They married in 1958 and settled initially in Myrtle Beach where Frank was then stationed. In the ensuing years their growing military family moved numerous times, living in such places as South Dakota, Maryland, Virginia and Germany. Following Frank’s Air Force retirement in 1972, the Blackburn's moved to New York's Mohawk Valley.

While living there, Donna worked as a registered nurse at Rome Memorial Hospital, Rose Hospital and Rome Developmental Disabilities Services Organization. For many years she served as a member of the Guardianship Committee at the ARC of Oneida County. Donna’s son, James, disabled from birth, inspired Donna’s service on behalf of people with disabilities.

Prior to a stroke in 2009, Donna lived a vibrant life focused on her family, her faith and her many interests. When she wasn’t knitting a new sweater, hat or scarf for one of her children or grandchildren, she was solving crossword puzzles, listening to her beloved classical organ music, alpine skiing, riding roller coasters or kayaking at the family camp at Raquette Lake. Donna particularly enjoyed family gatherings—especially at the Easter and Christmas holidays. She also delighted in humor and was always on the ready with a limerick or a timely quip.

In addition to her brother, Robert, Donna’s survivors include her daughters, Wendy Barrett (Scott) of Leonardsville, NY, Debra Tompkins (Kenneth) of New Hartford, NY, and Andrea D’Addio (David) of Cheshire, CT; and her son, David Blackburn (Callie) of Keller, TX. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Connor and Hannah Barrett, Sarah, Abigail (Matthew Hapanowicz) and Aaron Tompkins (Ally Friedman), Dylan and Kai D’Addio, Sidni Heitz (John), Gracie and Chloe Blackburn; and her great-grandchildren Hazel, Harlow and Hadley Heitz.

Services for Donna will be conducted at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. She will be interred alongside her husband and their son, James. Donations in Donna’s memory should be made to The ARC, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, or to the Alzheimer’s Association (Alzheimer's Association ).