Dona Torbenson Sheehan, Died September 1, 2018

Dona Torbenson Sheehan

Died Sept. 1, 2018

CEDAR –Dona Torbenson Sheehan, 75, passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018 at home surrounded by her loving family.  Dona was born June 23, 1943, in Lawton, Oklahoma, the daughter of Charles and Thelma “Sally” (Lockery) Torbenson.

Dona’s husband used to joke that the spelling of her first name meant that there had been a typo on her birth certificate, but perhaps her parents had actually realized that dona in Latin means gifts.

Dona certainly had outstanding gifts. As a sister to Gifford, Kristine, and Joni, she had the gifts of loyalty, patience, and love.

As a friend to many, she had the gifts of empathy and sympathy, qualities that ensured lifelong connections to acquaintances scattered across the country whom she encountered from childhood onwards.

As a parent, she had the gifts of loving guidance and protection, raising a stalwart son who eventually achieved the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel before retiring from the Army.

As a student, she had the gifts of intuition and persistence, qualities that eventually led her to a master’s degree in Nursing from Xavier College in Chicago.

As a psychiatric nurse assigned to Hines Veterans Hospital in a western suburb of

Chicago, she had the gift of healing, giving comfort to veterans who had been scarred by the horrors of war.

And as a wife, she had the gifts of devotion and attention, pledging to Michael on the first day of their marriage that she would never knowingly say or do anything to cause him pain or anxiety – a vow that she kept until the day of her death.

Dona is survived by her husband, Michael J. Sheehan Sr., a son, Gifford Haddock (Antoinette); a step-son, Michael Sheehan Jr.; her siblings, Gifford Torbenson, Kristine Casini, Joni Ambler; her grandchildren, Nicolette, Alexis and Giavanna Haddock; her special friends, Marlys Brandy, Moira Dowling, Danielle Arens, Amanda Raymond and many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29 with the family greeting friends at 10 a.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

In addition, funeral services in South Bend will be held Sunday, Sept. 30.  Friends and family may call at M.R. Falcons, 3212 Keller Street, South Bend, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. with a service to follow at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 1755 Abbey Road, East Lansing, MI 48823.

Condolences may be shared with Dona’s family below or at our funeral home Facebook page: