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Lucille Donnini

Lucille Donnini

Dec. 21, 2012

Lucille Donnini, 88, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012.

She is the beloved mother of six rather amazing children, and lived with two of them over the past 15 years, most recently with her daughter and son-in-law, Claudia and Mike Womack of Cumberland Hills in Athens.

Lucille loved her home state of Rhode Island, where she was reared and began her married life. Later, she and her family moved to Miami, Fla., where she and her husband, Frank, reared their children and welcomed the births of several of their grandchildren. Her next move took her to Dallas, Texas, where the family continued to grow and where Frank died more than 30 years ago.

In 2003, she moved to the Athens area where she became involved with the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum and the Athens Area Council for the Arts, along with various activities at First Baptist Church of Athens. She often remarked how she loved the four seasons in Tennessee and how the fall color reminded her of her youth.

Lucille and Frank are survived by the families of their children, Susan Malphurs of Dallas, Texas, Steven Donnini of St. Augustine, Fla., Ron Donnini of Arlington, Texas, Claudia Womack of Athens, Lisa Arrango of New York and Florida, and Dana Ball of Cedar Creek, Wisc. Each of her numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a special treasure in her life.

The family would like to thank Lucille\'s caregivers at both area hospitals and at NHC of Athens, and especially Carol Johnson for her loving care during this year.

The family will gather privately to celebrate and remember Lucille\'s wonderful life. There will be no public receiving of friends or funeral service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Athens Area Council for the Arts, 320 N. White St., Athens, TN 37303.