Carol Donaghy

Carol Ann Donaghy (nee McCollom) passed away peacefully on Friday, December 10 ^th at The Barrington of West Chester, surrounded by loved ones.  She enjoyed a long, happy life, bringing joy and smiles to all who had the privilege of knowing her, and had celebrated her 90 ^th birthday with family in September.

Carol was born in St. Louis, MO on September 10 ^th , 1931.  She was the only child of Harriet and Lee McCollom and her adoptive father John (Jack) Pope Baker.  She attended William Woods College and married her husband of 52 years, James (Jim) Vincent Donaghy, on April 24, 1954 in St. Louis.  After having all five of their children in Kansas City, the family moved to Tipp City, Ohio in 1965, where she worked at Spring Hill Nursery and they lived until 1976.  She spent her remaining years in the Cincinnati area, where she continued her home decorating business Interiors by Carol, worked as a sales representative at Prestige Travel and volunteered with the Montgomery Women’s Club, Good Shepard Catholic Church, Bethesda North Hospital and other organizations.

Carol and Jim had a life filled with friends, fun, laughs, and adventure, which were priorities they passed along to their kids.  They traveled extensively, spent time with their many friends, played golf, boated, and supported their children in everything they did.

Carol was a special soul, as anyone who was fortunate enough to know her could attest. She was kind, funny, energetic, and fun, brightening the lives of everyone who crossed her path. She was a wonderful friend and supporter to all, including her children.  She was the “surrogate mom” to countless people who needed comfort and a caring ear.

Carol kept her sense of humor and positivity, even when life and her health threw challenges her way.  Her beautiful smile and genuine interest in others were her special gifts that will always stay with all who knew and loved her.  We will endeavor to embrace and live these values to keep her legacy alive.  Our hearts are broken and our lives will never be the same. But the world was blessed to have her bright shining light for 90 years and we were blessed to have her as a mom.

Carol is survived by her sons James Christopher (Chris) Donaghy and Michael (Mike) Rhodes Donaghy, her daughters Mary Ann (Missy) Donaghy and Sally Ann (Donaghy) Rice, and 7 grandsons:  James (Jameson) Christopher Donaghy Jr., Timothy (Tim) Bryan Donaghy, Ian Shea Donaghy, Matthew Patrick Donaghy, Christopher (Chris) Lawrence Rice, Sean Patrick Rice, and Jack Donaghy Voight.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jim, and son Terrance (Terry) Patrick Donaghy.

A special thank you to the staff at The Barrington, who took loving care of Carol for the past five years.  They loved her like family.

Funeral mass will be at Good Shepard Catholic Church (8815 East Kemper Rd, Cincinnati Ohio 45249) on Thursday, December 16th at 12:00 noon, with visitation at 11:00. A luncheon for friends and family will take place after mass at the Silver Spring House.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Carol’s name to the Lustgarten Foundation, which raises research funds for pancreatic cancer, which took the life of her youngest son Terry in September of 2020.