Laurel C Donner

Laurel Christina (Laura) Donner, of Valparaiso, passed away in an automobile accident in Hebron on Sunday, February 16, 2014, at the age of 56. Indefatigable and endlessly curious, Laura wore many hats in her too-brief life: she worked as a legal secretary, loved animals (with particular soft spots for horses, dogs, and turtles), produced novel-length manuscripts, baked and shared hundreds of cookies at a time, cherished time spent outdoors, founded and managed Final Cut Tree Service, found humor in more places than not, and always, always went out of her way to offer help to strangers, neighbors, and loved ones alike. Laura read constantly. She made any space she entered more beautiful, whether through the addition of whimsical decoration or her radiant personality. She was a devoted wife and mother, and her two daughters considered her a best friend as well as parent. Born in Fort Wayne to Marguerite W. and Thomas C. Burrell, Laura (“Babar”) was an honor graduate of South Side High School and a graduate of International Business College. She belonged to the Pi Chapter of Psi Iota Xi. In 1982 she married John Donner, and shortly afterward the pair moved to Connecticut, sparking her deep and lifelong affection for New England. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, John, and their daughters, Courtney and Rachel; her mother, Marguerite Burrell; sister- Elizabeth (Eric) Burrell; brothers- Gus (Linda) Burrell, and Matt (Judy) Burrell; brother-in-law James (Carole) Donner, nieces and nephews Jehan, Adam, Molly, Zachary, Gary, Brian, Jenna Elise, Jenna Mackenzie, Natalie, Seth, and Nicholas; and four-legged friends Rope, Duncan, Lilly, and Donner Donner Weimaraner. She was predeceased by her father. Memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 12:00 pm at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN. Friends may visit with Laura’s family from 10 am -12 pm prior to the service. Donations may be made in Laura’s memory to Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, PO Box 02, Albion, IN 46701 or to the charity of your choice benefiting animals. www.burnsfuneral.com

Laurel C Donner

March 9, 1957 - February 16, 2014