Obituary of Dona J. Dupuis

A very doting mother, very sweet to all, adorable, and a bit of a daredevil all describe the life of Dona Dupuis. Dona J. Miller was born December 9, 1929 in Flint, Michigan the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jerome and Virgie (Schavallia) Miller. Both her mother and her father died when she was young, her mother when she was just nine months old and her father at age 10. Dona was primarily raised with the grandparents and lived for a time in the Detroit area and attended St. Vista Maria Catholic School. She didn't have any brothers or sisters, but, being raised by her grandparents, Dona considered her aunts and uncles, Alvin, Eva, Paul and Kenneth, to be her brothers and sisters. As a young woman, Dona, working in a restaurant, met a young man that frequented the diner for a hamburger. His name was Kenneth P. Dupuis. Soon they began dating, fell in love, and were united in marriage on May 20, 1946. Their union was blessed with eight children; Kenneth, Jr., Larry, Perry, Eugene, Randy, Barry, Anita, and Paul, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dona loved babies and although they had eight children, she had stated she could have had more. She always lit up in the presence of a baby, especially with her grand and great-grandchildren. Dona's first and foremost love in life was to her family. She was a consummate cook and baker and if she could feed you, she was happy "no one ever left her home hungry." She, Ken, and her children always looked forward to living in their summer home in Lapeer. Dona also looked forward to heading out to the drive-in and attending the yearly carnival with her kids! Although family came first, Dona did work periodically throughout her life. She had attended Cosmetology School and was also a cook for the Clio School System for several years. At the time of her retirement, she was the chief baker for the schools and everyone, from the students to the teachers and even the other cooks, all came to "test" her cinnamon rolls. Dona was also a very dedicated member of the SS Charles & Helena Catholic Church in Clio, Michigan. She was a member of the Altar Society for many years and helped out cooking countless dinners and in cleaning the linens. For a time she also cooked for the Clio Rotary International. Her doting extended well past her family, as she would welcome all to the table and she would make sure to have food, especially pies, whenever they were traveling. She and Ken went on fishing trips each year with family and friends and oftentimes, all in attendance would fight over who got to keep the pecan pie" it was her best. They also went to Florida for many years to Dade City, Zephyrhills and Ft. Myers. In Florida they enjoyed the flea markets, the dog races, and Plant City Strawberry Shortcakes. She and Ken had also been to Las Vegas a few times and spent their 50th Anniversary in Branson, Missouri with Irene and Deo Young. When she did have free time, Dona enjoyed reading, especially mafia gangster and love stories. From time to time should would take in an old movie her favorite was, Gone with the Wind. For her musical style, she could be found listening to big band with Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Tommy Dorsey always somewhere in the playlist. She enjoyed dancing, collecting owls for her living room, and collecting roosters and chickens for the kitchen. She never forgot to send all in the family their birthday cards, always stuffed with her customary $5 gift. She always had gifts under the tree for the grandkids at Christmas time. Sadly, Dona J. Dupuis died at her home in Clio, Michigan on April 30, 2009 with her loving family by her side. Her dedication to her family and her willingness to always put others before her will forever serve as an example to all the lives she has touched.