Donna Lee Broadsword, 88

Donna Lee Chronic Broadsword was born March 26, 1935, at her Chronic grandparents' home in Dover. Three years later her family moved to the Heath homestead in Algoma to be with her grandmother Heath. In high school Donna met Chuck Broadsword of Grouse Creek, they left school and started their family. Five years living in Sandpoint was five years too many, and in 1960 they moved to their forever home in Algoma, a small log cabin they built themselves on the family homestead.

Donna was an avid gardener. She loved playing softball and arrow heading, but most of all she loved babies and kids. Hundreds of kids were touched by her kind presence through 25 years of working as a school cook. Anyone who fondly remembers the good old days of Southside Elementary school lunches, the days when homemade chili and cinnamon rolls were cooked from scratch, the days when whole turkeys and real mashed potatoes were served before Thanksgiving and Christmas has had a taste of Donna’s cooking.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Ted and Elza Chronic, her husband Charles, and their infant son Kim Allen. Donna is survived by her aunt JoAnn Chronic, her daughter Virginia and Sam Howard, her son John and Joyce Broadsword, her sisters Rose and Ron Cheney, Judy and Tom Dabrowski and her brother Mike and Lisa Chronic; grandchildren Wendy and Scot Auld, Amie Broadsword and Owen Kehoe, Brian and Renee Bartlett, Andy and Jenny Bartlett, J.C. and Lola Broadsword, 11 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, her treasured niece Mary Lou, and nephews Ted and Michael Dabrowski.

Thanks to cousin Ron Spears for keeping an eye on Donna and helping her out. We can’t thank J.C. and Lola enough for the care and love you showered on Nana, and for brightening her last years with John and Joe.

Donna had a kind and gentle soul. Her sister called her Saint Donna, and now the angels welcome one of their own.

Gramma’s Garden Party is on July 8, 2-5 p.m. at the Howards.

Family and friends are invited to sign Donna’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.