Donna Lee Entwistle

Donna Lee Entwistle, age 69 of Allouez, passed away on Friday, February 21, 2025. Throughout the day she was surrounded by her loving family but for her last 46 minutes Jeff and Donna were together in peaceful calm with each other until her final breath at 1:06 AM. Donna was born on July 2, 1955, in New Bedford, Massachusetts and lived on Woodlawn St. with her mom until she married. Donna graduated from New Bedford High School in 1973, 2-1/2 months after she met her future husband and the love of her life. Donna then graduated from Bridgewater State College in 1977 cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts. On August 12, 1978, Donna and Jeff were married at St. Julie’s Church in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Following their St. Croix honeymoon, they began their life’s adventure together in the warm and wonderful confines of Spartan Village “married housing” at Michigan State University. Jeff received his terminal degree, Suma Cum Laude, in Scene Design and Stage Lighting in 1981. He began his first Assistant Professor Position at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois and worked each summer as Technical Director and occasional Lighting Designer for the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. In the fall of 1982 three Illinois State Theatre couples all with the same doctor, welcomed babies. Donna and Jeff established their family of three when their daughter, Taylor Helene, was born on Nov. 22nd. In 1984, they moved one last time, to Green Bay, WI where Jeff began as the new Asst. Professor in Scenic and Lighting Design at University of Wisconsin Green Bay Theatre. Donna stayed at home with Taylor and taught her many math skills and how to read before Taylor began kindergarten. When Taylor did begin kindergarten, Donna began by joining the Executive Board of the PTO and she served as director of Arts for Langlade Elementary on Broadview St. and directed large scale science-based musicals for K thru 5 students. Music of the Planets and Danger Dinosaurs were pretty big “Off-Broadview” hits, and she made several public statements when show selections were questioned by a local church group for not teaching about “Creation”. Donna finished as the PTO President and then followed Taylor to Lombardi Middle School where Donna designed and painted 6 shows while Taylor was in middle school. Donna then spent four years volunteering at Southwest High designing and painting 8 shows throughout Taylor’s 4 years in high school working virtually 40-hour work weeks for all four years. Since the students worked after school on these shows, Donna would come to school each day painting on her own and then worked with and mentored several students. Professionally Donna began painting as a scenic artist and paint crew chief for the Pamiro Opera Company. She stopped painting for Pamiro when the company closed in the summer of 2002. In the fall of 2001 Donna joined the UWGB Costume Shop staff as a seamstress of the highest quality and interacted with students until 2014. In 2012 Donna helped open Nell’s Wigs and Boutique’s 1st large location and continued working at Nell’s new location where she remained employed until her passing. Donna enjoyed serving as the “Intrepid Guide” for Jeff’s UWGB meets NYC Theatre Trips from 2000 until her last Theatre Alumni Trip in June 2018. Due to Donna’s caring guidance of students and her encyclopedic knowledge of most things NYC she was adored by students and special UWGB Theatre guests as well. Donna also loved her cats, Minx the Manx, Waldo, Mungo Jerrie and Shadow and she has begun fawning over her new grandkitty, Tugger, who lives in Chicago with Taylor. Donna was loved by her family and friends, and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Jeff, daughter, Taylor Helene Entwistle, sister, Patricia (Borges) Fales, sister-in-law, Diane Ruth Entwistle Johnston and brother-in-law Stephen Johnston and special niece, Amy Butler and her children, Hunter, Brianna, Lily and Logan. Donna is further survived by nieces and nephews; Joshua & Laurel Johnston, Jennifer & Jereme Harlan, Matthew Johnston and Naomi & James Stevens as well as other relatives and friends including Janis Chapman, especially those close friends who have become the family we chose; Debbie and David Macedo, Steve and Suzi Martin and Dean and Stacey Kolze and their son, Joseph.

Preceding her in death are her mother, Herminia “Helen” Guerra Borges, great nephew, Tyler Butler and her father-in-law, Harold Ripley Entwistle and mother-in-law, Lillian “Bun Bun” Entwistle.

Donna Lee Entwistle (The Sassy Seamstress) will have a Celebration of her Life on Sunday, May 11th from 1:00 to 5:00 - Mother's Day, at the Weidner Center Grand Foyer (under the Chihuly Chandelier) 2420 Nicolet Dr. Green Bay. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the nursing angels of the ICU at Bellin Memorial Hospital, especially Olivia, Melanie, Jordan and Jane for the wonderful care given to Donna (and us) during her stay. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the ASPCA, The World Wildlife Fund, to help save the elephants, or any Animal Rescue league in your area.