Donna K. Marcille

Donna Kentzel Marcille passed away on August 14, 2017. Born Donna Lynn Kentzel to Harry and Dorothy Kentzel on April 14, 1945 in Troy, New York. She graduated from Williamsville Central High School in 1963 and from State University of Buffalo in 1967. She taught high school home economics in Westfield, New York until her marriage to Jim Marcille on November 29, 1969, having known each other from the age of 12. After living in Dallas and Atlanta, they eventually moved to Aurora, Colorado in 1992, where Donna taught pre-school at Hope United Methodist Church for over 20 years.
Donna’s greatest legacy is the incredible loving family to which she was devoted: Kelly (Mike) Festi in Denver, CO; Scott (Martha) Marcille in Atlanta, GA; Kristi (Glenn) Smith in Dolores, CO; and Traci (Mike) Grasso in Cleveland, OH. Her loving relationship with each of her ten grandchildren (Mitchell, Hazel, Jay, Cameron, June, Andrew, John, Ellie, Avery and Dorothy) enriched “Mimi’s” life as much as it did each child’s.
Her humility, compassion, genuinely warm spirit and sense of humor endeared Donna to everyone she met. Once you were her classmate, neighbor, or colleague, you were friends forever. Donna and Jim logged countless miles travelling to be with friends and family or welcoming them into their home.
Family reunions were her specialty, creating invaluable memories and deepening family bonds between extended family members. Donna’s continuous love and support from family and friends along with her faith, helped give her the strength and courage she needed to face the challenges of Multiple Myeloma for the past nine years. As was her way, Donna stoically endured her affliction, fighting her cancer until the very end.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Harry Kentzel and nephew, Tyler Fisher. In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her sisters, Katherine (Dale) Neil and Gretchen (Steve) Fisher and sister-in-law Ann Craigmile, three nieces (Kate, Katie and Carolyn) and four nephews (JR, Eric, Brett and Cole).
Her Celebration of Life will be held at Hope United Methodist Church on August 17, 2017 at 3:00pm with Reverend Stephanie Price officiating. Heflebower Funeral Home are handling the funeral arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation www.themmrf.org or 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. Phone: 203.229.0464.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to The Denver Hospice, Heflebower Funeral Services, Hope United Methodist Church and all of our amazing family, friends.