Mother of God Cemetery

Obituary

Donna Mary Espelage passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 14, 2022, just 5 days before her husband, Jack.
Donna was born on June 28, 1939 in Dayton, Kentucky to parents, Frank and Carrie (Lickert) Duell, just six minutes after her best friend and identical twin sister, Dolores. She was raised alongside her 7 siblings in Bellevue, Kentucky. Donna graduated high school from Notre Dame Academy in 1958.
On September 30th, 1961, Donna married the love of her life, Jack Espelage, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Bellevue, Kentucky. Together they welcomed their daughters, Kelly and Jackie.
Donna was the matriarch of her family and devoted her entire life to supporting and caring for her husband, daughters, grandchildren and her older siblings. Donna was especially protective of her twin sister and would always inform anyone who listened how polite she was by allowing her sister to go first at birth. Donna was loved for her quick wit and strong will. She always would say: "I might not be right, but I'm never in doubt." Donna was ready to do anything for her family. She enjoyed relocating around the country as Jack's career advanced.
Like her husband, Donna believed learning was important and worked to become an incredibly, talented quilter. She loved gifting her various quilts to her family members and friends. Donna was an active member of Triple Crown Country Club, where she enjoyed playing cards and golfing. She was so proud to have had two "hole in ones" in her lifetime. She enjoyed cheering on the Cincinnati Reds, traveling around the world to golf with Jack and sharing a scotch at the end of everyday.
Preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Carrie; and siblings, Jack (Rita), Junior (Betty), Al (Lenny), Betty (Vic), and Mildred Ann. Donna is also reunited in rest with her beloved husband, Jack.
Donna is survived by her children, Kelly (Bill) and Jackie (Sean), six grandchildren, Kristine (Steven), Ryan (Becca), Tyler (Jenn), Megan, Jake, Joey, great-grandson, Colburn, with another great-grandchild on the way; best friend and identical twin, Dolores (Rod), and sister, Lillian (Paul); and many extended family members and friends.
Funeral service for Donna and Jack will be held on October 21, 2022 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 318 Division St, Bellevue, KY 41073, with visitation at 10am and the Funeral Mass beginning at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider leaving a memorial contribution in Donna's name to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. (https://www.Glaucoma.org)