Donna Paris ’58 Boeve
Donna Boeve was born October 10, 1936, and passed away on July 23, 2023, in Rochester, MN, at age 86. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Ken ( Sr.) and Violet Paris, brother Ken ( Jr.), husband Jerry, and son Curtis.
Donna was born in Kansas City, MO, and shortly thereafter her family moved to Dearborn, MI. Donna attended Hope College in Holland, MI, where she met Jerry. She graduated from Hope College in 1958, and married Jerry in 1959. Her teaching career started in Royal Oak, MI, where she taught 5th grade for five years. She and Jerry then expanded their family with the additions of son Brad, daughter Kyle, and son Curtis, with all living in Holland over the late 1960’s and 1970’s.
When the family moved to Sarasota, FL, in 1981, Donna became the Director of Conference Services for The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort on Longboat Key. She had an enjoyable and productive career over 25 years. She earned numerous awards including selection for Who’s Who Worldwide and the National Association of Professional Women.
Donna and Jerry decided to return to live in Holland, and then Zeeland. Upon Jerry’s death in 2022, Donna moved to Rochester, MN, to live close to her family. Her final 18 months of life were filled with joy being accompanied by family, friends, and their pets.
Donna is survived by her son Brad and his wife Maka residing in Rochester, MN, and their two children, and her daughter Kyle and her husband Tim residing in Northport, AL, and their four children.
Donna’s passion was teaching people to help themselves so they could grow to help others to do the same – qualities she instilled in her children and so many others. Her soft-spoken, sincere, and pleasant demeanor are well- known to all with whom she has ever interacted.