Donna M. Nowakowski
Donna Nowakowski aka Donche proudly hailed from the Back of the Yards on the South Side of Chicago. One of eight children, daughter of Roman and Josephine, she was raised humbly and learned the value of hard work from a young age. Before devoting her professional life to healthcare, she helped at her parents’ bakery, delivered newspapers, and was the quickest cashier Jewel had ever seen.
Donche was fiercely independent and never doubted her instincts. She earned a Bachelor of Science from De Paul University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Loyola University at a time when many women were staying home. She was proud of her career, devoted her life to serving others, and was respected by all who worked for her over the years.
Nothing made her more proud, however, than her two children, Nicholas and Lindsey. Even into adulthood, we were always her babies and there was nothing she wouldn’t do to bring us even the tiniest amount of joy. She saved every note, card, and piece of artwork we ever made and held us tightly in her heart. She couldn’t talk about us without beaming uncontrollably and loved us without end. She never stopped trying to solve our problems or make our lives better
Donche taught us to find small joys and make the mundane special. She was silly and loved to invent her own words and Donche-isms. She was quick to develop new hobbies, like wine collecting, swimming, making her own facial products, and creating dinner concoctions from whatever she had on hand. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters—Joni, Romi, Terri, and Carol, and her cousin Kim—all of whom she loved unconditionally. Most nights, she loved to make dinner and settle into a cozy mystery or drama with her caring husband, Bob. She was also a proud aunt to many nieces and nephews, whom she cared for as she did her own children.
Donche was bold in personality and loving in her heart. She was spunky, strong, intelligent, and driven. Even on her worst days of physical pain, she pushed herself to spread love, learn new things, and improve the lives of those around her. She shared her love not just with close family but friends, strangers at the grocery store, her friends in Farmville, and anyone who was lucky enough to know her. She was generous beyond measure, infinitely compassionate and empathetic, and tenacious in her pursuit for helping loved ones. That still wouldn’t stop her from screaming at the Bears, a slow driver, or cheap wine.
Despite her modest upbringing, she developed a love of the finer things in life. She wouldn’t leave the house without a pair of designer shoes and a boutique purse. Her wine was always top notch. She shared these passions freely and was an inspiration to many. Donche was a beautiful woman, inside and out, even when she refused to see herself in the same light that others did
We are not saying goodbye to our sweet, unique mother. We are just waiting for her in Donche time. She lives on in the traits we’ve inherited, the many gifts she has given us, and in the memories we all share of her. Please freely share your memories of our amazing mother on the Tribute tab. We will not host a formal service for her at this time, so please raise a glass of your finest wine (and it had better not be from a box!) to honor her special soul.
Relatives and friends are encouraged to leave a memorial on Donche’s tribute page.
Arrangements entrusted to West Suburban Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Info 630-852-8000 or www.westsuburbanfh.com
You will be so missed cuz. We have so many childhood memories, especially when our moms got together. I’m so glad we were able to enjoy a couple family reunions all together. May you RIP cuz, love you🍷🌹
My condolences to Donna’s entire family. As a friend and colleague of Carolyn Nowakowski, I have heard all the warm love for Donna through the years. I’m so sorry that she was taken from you. I wish you comfort during this difficult time.
With sadness, Connie Natvig
Donche- You knew how to clean out a gross apartment fridge like a champ, were always a hilarious visitor in Lakeview, and gave me one of my best friends in Lindsey. She carries with her your tenacity, passion, humor, work ethic, intelligence, and loyalty. Thank you for her. You will be remembered and missed. -Liz Solomon Woo (Lindsey’s roomie for life)
For my beautiful loving wife.
She was so precious, loving and caring. Being with her children, Lindsey and Nick, were Donn’s happiest moments. Even if she could not be with them, she still had all this happiness within her.
Donna had so much love for everyone and everyone loved Donna. When first meeting Donna, you felt as if you knew her for years. All loved her exceptionally. She genuinely expressed interest with people she met and always made you feel special.
I have been blessed and fortunate to be have been loved by such as beautiful wife, even though I drove her crazy, and that was frequent. I just wish I had many more years to spend with my beautiful wife.
I am thankful for everyone that brought happiness, love and laughter to Donna.
The greatest gift I have ever received was the pleasure, happiness, love and laughter that Donna gave and shared with me. I am thankful for all the pleasure, happiness, love and laughter I have received from my wife and from Lindsey and Nick.
I will always love you, Donna!!!! Your spirit will always be with me and I know you will always be by my side!!! Please wait for me as I cannot wait to hold you once again in my arms.
I was lucky to know Donche in many ways. To me she was my aunt, godmother, coworker and friend. We shared many common interests: jazz, biking, movies, we even had the same taste in men- Mondavi, Cosentino, Beringer…the list goes on. Many of my
most precious memories involve my aunt. We had a lot of great times working together except for maybe that one time she told me I wasn’t allowed to call her Auntie Donna at work. To our old work crew- she was a certain type of professional!! I never did stop calling her Auntie Donna at work (well I suppose it morphed into Aunt Donche)- it even inspired a few coworkers to call her that as well! And while I’m devastated beyond words that my aunt left this life so soon, I find comfort in my memories of my time with her.
There’s a quote I clipped from a magazine that’s been hung on my fridge for nearly 15 years. It reminds me of an unforgettable time in my life- much of that spent with my aunt. Now when I see it, it’s not just about wine, but about my aunt’s passion for life and all that came with it.
“ I do like to think of the life of wine… how it’s a living thing. I like to think about what was going on the year the grapes were growing; how the sun was shining that summer Or if it rained. I like to think about all the people who attended and picked the grapes. And if it’s an old wine, How many of them must be dead by now. I love how wine continues to evolve, like if I opened a bottle of wine today it would taste different than if I’d opened it any other day, because a bottle of wine is actually alive.”
-from Sideways, screenplay
To Bob, Nick and Lindsey I’m sending you all my love.
-M
I knew Donna from her days at IHA. She was always energetic, interested and very smart. I have not seen or talked with her in many years. Please accept my sympathies on your loss and I hope that you can find comfort in many wonderful memories.
Dr. Nowakowski,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Mary Ellen Griffin
I had the pleasure of working with Donna prior to her retirement. Even though, technically I was her boss I learned so much from her and considered her a mentor. She was such a seasoned nurse and administrator and always told me things like they were, not as I wanted to hear. I respected her for that and for her wise realistic view of the world and healthcare. She always spoke so lovingly of her children and her husband, Bob. I feel like I know all of you…you were lucky to have her. And of course, she helped me to acquire a very expensive habit of fine wine. She had excellent taste. Her recommendations and gifts of wine were so appreciated. Now when my husband and I find a really good wine with that certain Donna note to it we say, “now that’s a Donna wine”. I am glad to have had Donna as a colleague and a friend. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time. God Bless
My deepest condolences to Donna’s Family & Friends. I worked with Donna at St Mary’s Hospital in the Quality Department. I enjoyed working with Donna, she was always sunny & cheerful and had a great sense of humor. I will be toasting her this evening with a glass of wine.
Ron Guidizi
I had the pleasure with working with Donna at Saint’s Mary. I recall the first time we met– she eluded such warmth and sweetness. She immediately gave a presence and connection of a long time friend. Thank you for your kindness, wisdom and letting me in on “some of the secrets”. You will be missed.
To Donna’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Donna through Presence Health and Saint Mary’s and worked with her in the years before her retirement. She was thoughtful, intelligent, hard working and not one to ask for the spotlight. She looked forward to her retirement and was intent on enjoying life after her career. She will be in my prayers and thoughts.
I knew Donna from working with her at SMEMC Presence Health. She was a good friend & colleague and a joy to work with on our many projects in Quality & Risk.While I have not seen her since I left Chicago several years ago we did keep in touch. Fly with the angels.My sympathy goes out to her family.
Dear Bob, I am so sad and sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful wife. Please accept my sincere condolences.