Donna Marie Drew

December 9, 1938 - October 6, 2018

Donna M. Drew, 79, of Grand Detour, IL, died Saturday, October 6, 2018, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, IL. She was born December 9, 1938, in Lincoln, IL, the daughter of Thomas and Marie (Berlage) Smythe. Donna was a graduate of Dixon High School and graduated from the KSB Hospital School of Nursing in 1959. She worked at KSB Hospital from 1959 to 1985. In 1985 she became health care administrator at the Dixon Correctional Center until her retirement in 2005. Donna was awarded Employee of the Year at the Dixon Correctional Center in 1993. In retirement she worked part time for KSB Occupational Health and the KSB Clinic. She was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and served on the Dixon School Board from 1981 to 1989. She was a true family matriarch and was fondly referred to as "Sarge" by her children and co-workers; both will no doubt be lost without her direction! Friends and colleagues say she was a very caring and compassionate nurse who had no trouble taking charge—our Sarge in Charge! Donna married Francis Drew in Dixon September 12, 1959. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Marie Smythe, step sister, Fanny Mae Smythe, and brother-in-law, Jerry Brady. Donna is survived by her loving husband Francis of 59 years as well as her children, Linda (Jim) Drew-Lass of DeWitt, IA, Jim (Robyn) Drew of Dixon, IL Steve (Amy) Drew of Gurnee, IL, Pat Drew of Dixon, IL, Dennis (Sherri) Drew of Mt Morris ,IL, Tim (Rhonda) Drew of Grand Detour, IL, fourteen grandchildren, Chelsey, Garrett, Keegan Lass, Brennan, Connor, Morgan, Shea, Josh, Grace, Kristin, Kaitlyn, Emily, Katie, and Rachel Drew; one brother Tom Smythe of Rockford, IL, two step sisters Betty Ann Dust of Effingham, IL, and Joanne Hickman of Vero Beach, FL, two sisters-in-law, Judy (Ron) Conderman of Dixon, IL, and Sally Brady of Dixon, IL. She will be missed by her cat Boots. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday October 12, 2018, at 10:00 am at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Dixon with the Rev. Thomas Doyle officiating. Cremation will follow with burial of cremains at a later date in Grand Detour Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at St. Anne Catholic Church. Memorials have been established to St. Anne’s Catholic Church and a nursing scholarship will be established in her name.