Donna MacReady

Donna Dea MacReady, 90, of Fort Gratiot, died Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

She was born May 7, 1936, to the late Thomas and Dea Odom. She married Mitchell S. MacReady on March 10, 1956 in Pensacola, Florida. He preceded her in death on December 28, 1998 after 42 years of marriage.

Donna was a 1954 graduate of St. Stephen High School. She received a choir scholarship to Interlochen Center for the Arts. While in high school she worked for the Bakers Field Airport and became Port Huron’s first female pilot.

Donna was passionate about singing and was eager to start her singing career. She formed a band called “The Donna Dea Trio.” While traveling around the country singing, Donna met and married Mitchell “Mickey” MacReady. They married, moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and started their family. Several years later they moved back to Port Huron.

Donna raised her three children along with many other neighborhood kids who all seemed to gather at their house and beach. Her favorite times were spent with her family and friends on the beach and at countless sporting events. Sandwiches and lemonade were a summer ritual. She was called by many “the Beach Mom.” They created many wonderful memories that are still talked about often with childhood friends.

Donna, along with two doctors’ wives, helped to start a chapter of the ARC in Port Huron where she later was awarded “Woman of the Year” for St. Clair County. She then began her medical administration career with Dr. Davison and later was instrumental in founding the first dialysis center in Port Huron along with Dr. Muthuswami. When Dr. Muthuswami began his medical practice, Donna became his Office Manager. They worked together for well over thirty years and retired together. Also a proud member of the Red Hat Chapter, she helped to raise funds by creating a “quite revealing” pin-up calendar!!

Donna never lost her passion for music and singing. She was often singing in her house and at neighborhood parties. She instilled the love of music in her children and many others. She also treasured the phone calls from her daughter, son and daughter-in-law several times a week. In her 60s she went back to college and earned her counseling degree, and in her 80s she rekindled her deep love for painting.

Donna is survived by her children, Michele K. Venable, Scott M. (Tiffany) MacReady and Michael B. (Jenny) MacReady; grandchildren, Joe (Lauren) Venable and Jeremiah MacReady; two great grandchildren, Vance and Valen Venable; sister, Bonnie Parniski; nieces and a nephew; and her faithful companion, George Gershwin the cat. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mitchell; sister, Sue Milas; son-in-law, Joseph Venable; and brother-in-law, Bob Parniske.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Lakeshore Presbyterian Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Todd Lee of the Great Commission Church will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to the Blue Water Area Humane Society, SONS ministry or the ARC of St. Clair County.

Arrangements are by Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com