Donna Jean Frech

Donna Jean Frech, 84

     Boardman:  “On Monday morning, September 17, 2018, our beautiful Donna peacefully passed away at her home.  Her journey with Alzheimer’s was over.”  She was surrounded by her loving husband and two of her daughters, and feeling the touch of their hands upon her, she entered her new home in heaven.  The magnificent sunrise that morning truly radiated her peacefulness and beauty as she was being welcomed into the arms of Jesus.

     Donna was born August 2, 1934 in Rogers, Ohio, the oldest child of Dale and Iris Jean (Walters) Capehart.  She graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1952.  She moved to Lowellville that same year, living with her aunt and working as a bookkeeper at the Union National Bank in downtown Youngstown.  Being that her aunt lived across the street from Lowellville Methodist Church, she began attending their services, joined their choir and it was there she met her future husband, John L. Frech, Jr.

     Donna and John were married at the church on August 27, 1955.  They celebrated 63 years of marriage last month.  There was rarely a day throughout those years when they weren’t together.

Their relationship was one of true commitment and friendship.  John’s love for Donna especially shone forth these past couple years as he was her primary caregiver at their residence in Boardman. 

     Donna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  Her family meant everything to her.  She enjoyed yearly family vacations as her children were growing up.  She loved spending time with and taking care of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout the years, too.  Sharing simple moments and just being with family was her true happiness. 

     She and her husband traveled often in later years.  She has been to Hawaii three times as well as many other states.  After her husband retired, they began spending winters in Florida.  Eventually, they became permanent residents, living there for over 10 years.  She enjoyed those years immensely with her husband – sightseeing, watching sunsets every evening, countless walks on the beach, seeing dolphins jump, gathering seashells and even metal detecting together.  She loved sharing these same moments with her children and grandchildren when they came to visit.  After living a full and healthy life, she was sadly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013.  She said she wanted to ‘go home.’ And, in spring of 2015, she and John came back to Ohio to be with family. 

     Donna will be lovingly missed by her wonderful husband, John; her daughters Barbara (Joe) Kukla of Boardman, Lora Miller of Toronto, Canada, and Jeanne.  She also leaves behind to hold onto her precious memories her grandchildren Jennifer (Eric) Wilder of Plain City, Angela (Shawn) Kukla of Uniontown, Alison (Preston Reilly) Kukla of Norfolk, VA and Joshua Day of Boardman as well as her great grandchildren Sadie and Hudson Wilder and Julia and Jacob Kukla. 

     Besides her parents, preceding her in death were her siblings Charles (Carolyn) Capehart, Charlene (Victor) Smith, David Capehart and Lary (Rosie) Capehart. 

     As per her wishes, there were no calling hours or services. 

     The family wishes to sincerely thank Hospice of the Valley for their loving compassionate care and support during Donna’s time at home.  Any donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 5190 Market Street, Boardman, OH 44512.

     “Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.”

     We love you Donna, Mom, Grami and Mimi Donna.  We’ll miss you forever and cherish all our memories with you even longer.  xoxoxo

     Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Thompson Filicky Funeral Home, 4221 Market Street in Boardman. 

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