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Obituary for Donna Marie Barribeau
Donna Marie Barribeau (Behnke), 91, passed away peacefully with family beside her at her home in Oconto on December 24. Donna was born on February 6, 1929, the daughter of Roland and Lucille (Van Drisse). She graduated from Oconto High School in 1947, went to training college in Indiana, and was then employed by Western Union. She married Wilfred “Curly” Barribeau in 1949. Together they raised seven children. She was proud of her shorthand and typing skills, and developed many handicraft skills, with her afghan blankets and quilts especially prized by the lucky recipients. She held a number of jobs over the years, but quite late in life spent some years at the Farnsworth Public Library, where she combined her love of books with a fondness for meeting new people. She was known among her many friends and extended family for her generosity, kindness, and especially her sharp tongue and cutting wit. Although she lived most of her life in Oconto and Green Bay, she and Curly lived in Dunellon, Florida, for several years after retirement until Curly became ill with cancer, dying in 2004.
Donna is survived by their children: Greg, Oconto; Jim (Cathy), New Zealand; Sue (Darrell) Anderson, Oconto; Jodi (Bennie) Wittkopf, Green Bay; Kris (Dennis) Polsen, Naperville, IL; Pat (Chyree), Andover, MN; and Bill, Lena. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, by a brother, Jay (Linda), a sister-in-law, Marlene (Hall), and many nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her very good friend, Joei Garrigan. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Curly, a grandson, Joel Anderson, and eight of her ten siblings, Bonnie, Marilyn, Virginia, Dean, Carliss, Roger, Shirleen, and Sheridan; sisters-in-law, June Cyr Zanders, Darlene (John) Melland, Laverne (Ray) Cyr, and Sally (Al) Rudolph.
To honor her wishes “not to make a fuss,” the family will arrange a celebration of life in the post-Covid period. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gallagherfuneralhome.net.
A special thank you to Unity Hospice, and the staff at Bellin Hospital for helping Donna and the family in the final stages of her illness.
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