Donna Rose Halligan

Donna Rose Kemeny was born July 25, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio to Helen Thomas and Elmer Kemeny. Her brother Jimmy was born 7 years later. Donna had a wonderful singing voice which landed her the lead role of Dorothy in the Orchard School production of The Wizard of Oz. The family lived a happy life until the untimely death of her father at age 34, when Donna was just 13. Her mother then had to work days and nights to support the family, leaving Donna to take care of her brother. She generally did a magnificent job, except for the time she lost him at a Cleveland Indians game. After waiting at the front gate for all of the fans to leave, Donna and her best friend, Jean finally got up the nerve to call her mother. She learned that the police had put Jimmy in a box seat with popcorn, soda and hot dogs and brought him home after the game. Donna graduated from St. John's School of Nursing in Cleveland, then worked as a nurse for the next 5 years. Some friends were going to interview to be a stewardess for American Airlines, and Donna joined them on a whim. She got hired, but they didn't. She flew out of Cleveland for a few years. When that base closed, a friend told her they had a room available for her in Manhattan Beach, California. Donna packed her bags and made the move to the West Coast. Her apartment happened to be across the street from a couple of LAPD officers, one of whom broke his hand while on duty. The officer, John Halligan, needed his hand re-wrapped occasionally. Donna was able to utilize her nursing skills and personality to capture the heart of this Irishman from New York City. Donna and John were married May 6, 1961, in Parma, Ohio. Eventually they settled in Long Beach where they raised their four children. She spent her time volunteering at St. Joseph Elementary School, helping with lunches and Scouts, etc. while attending every sporting event her children participated in. Her beautiful singing voice got her a solo part in St. Joseph's Encore Club productions for two years. One of her favorite songs to sing was "Rose of Washington Square". She loved to cook and specialized in the Hungarian recipes handed down from her mother and grandmother. She was noted for her Graham Cracker Nut Cake. Donna worked part time as a nurse, mostly at Pacific Hospital in Long Beach. She would often pull double-duty, working nights and maintaining her daily chores with the house and children during the daytime. Once her children were raised and married, Donna asked, "When am I going to have some grandchildren?" One year after another, nine grandchildren arrived. Then she asked, "When am I going to stop having grandchildren?" Again, Donna was completely devoted to helping raise her grandchildren and rarely missed going to watch all of their activities. Donna is survived by her husband: John, children: Jean Rhoads, Katie Storbeck, John Halligan, and Tom Halligan; brother: Jim Kemeny, and grandchildren: Donna-Jean, Jeffery, Jack, Addison, Dana, Harrison, Joey, Tommy and Matt. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 13, 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 6220 E. Willow St., Long Beach. Donations may be made in Donna's name to: Pathways Volunteer Hospice, 3701 Michelson St., Lakewood, CA 90712