Donna Kelly (Rogers) Wahl, 92, of Louisville, KY passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Aug. 1, 2022, after a 12-year battle with breast cancer that had metastasized.
Donna was born on Oct. 8, 1929, in Leiters Ford, to the late Francis and Geneave Faulkner Kelly. She also is preceded in death by her husband Robert Wahl (2016) of Porter, her former husband Herbert Rogers(2000) of Knox, brother Norman Kelly of Culver, and sister Glenna Haschel of Winamac, former in laws Bill (Jean) Rogers of Ft Myers, FL and former in law Sally Rogers Killingsworth of Baker, LA. Left to cherish her memory are her children Kathy Gahm (former spouse Phillip) of Louisville and Christy Zorn (Nick) of Brandon, FL., and her grandchildren Amy (Joel) Gahm-Derbin, Nicklaus, Chelsey, Evan, Amber Gahm and Ryan and Cole Zorn; stepdaughters Carol (Craig) Flynn of Buffalo, NY and Debbie (Bruce) Baldwin of Carmel, IN, step-grandchildren Daniel (Kayla), Adam, Meghan, Kaitlin Flynn and Matthew, Nathan, Jacob Baldwin, step great grandchildren Madison and Teagan Flynn. Donna is survived by brother Gene (Mary) Kelly of Ft. Wayne, sister-in-law Marilyn Kelly of Culver and many nieces and nephews. Donna also is survived by her lifetime best friend and classmate Bonnie Hoover.
Donna graduated from Leiters Ford HS where she performed in many plays and recently attended her 75th class reunion. She spent much of her childhood riding horses and during those years often helped the Culver Military Academy black horse troop navigate the country roads around her home while they were training. Donna started in Knox as a switchboard operator then married Herb and soon after became an at home mom. She also worked at the Bureau for Motor Vehicles, an assistant for Dr Ingwell MD and Dr Amos DDS, secretary, bookkeeper for Commercial Honing, Davis Plumbing and Heating and helped Herb to run the Shell Oil jobbership in Knox for a number of years. She enjoyed “dressing to the nine’s” and often with her preferred work updo of a French twist. Donna proudly voted in elections. She would like to be remembered for her spunk and sass, her generous smile, twinkling blue eyes, listening ear, warm heart and her love of exchanging greeting cards. She always was quick to give a compliment, kind word of encouragement and emotional support in time of need.
Donna’s memorial visitation will be held in Knox on Sat., Aug. 20th, 1-3p CST at MC Smith Funeral Home, 153 East Washington, Knox. A funeral visitation and Catholic Church mass have already been held in Louisville. Mask wearing is requested, and extra masks will be available. As per her wishes, she has been cremated.
In lieu of flowers we suggest a donation in her name to St Brigid Catholic Church, 1520 Hepburn Av., Louisville, KY 40204; Nativity Academy at St Boniface, 529 East Liberty St., Louisville, KY 40202; Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (Team Kelly Girls) or an act of compassion or kindness in her honor and memory.
Thank you to Father Gary Padgett of St Brigid Catholic Church who administered the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation to Donna upon her request at the age of 89 along with Anointing of the Sick at her life’s end. We are grateful for your guidance and compassion on her faith and spiritual journey. Thank you also to the Palliative Care unit at Baptist Health Louisville and to Hosparus Louisville for their care, kindness and compassion.
Donna wished to share a message and a special thank you to her sole caregiver, her daughter Kathy Gahm and grandchildren. “Kathy, thank you for taking me by the hand and lovingly guiding me through these past 6 years. I couldn’t have done it without you. And thank you to my grandchildren who gave me a reason to keep going these past 6 years, to make more memories. I treasured every minute spent with you. I love you very much.”
