Dona Lee Osborn

Dona is my cousin.  Our Mothers are sisters.  We have always lived in Virginia and the Brutons have lived in Arizona for many years, and despite the distance the bond of family has always been there.  As younger cousins we would see each other periodically or correspond through letters.  As adults our own families took our attention and time, and many years passed.  I then made a trip to Las Vegas  with plans to drive to Phoenix to stay with Dona's parents, my Aunt Joyce and Uncle Roy, for several days.  Dona couldn't get down there at that time, but she came to Vegas with her grandson Cody and we spent a wonderful day together, like time and space had never interferred.  We hugged, laughed, talked and enjoyed lunch together.  We talked about she and her family coming to Viriginia, taking the grandchildren to Williamsburg and some of the other great historical places Virginia has to offer.  Through emails I would remind her that Viriginia and I were still waiting.  Sadly, that will not happen now and I am very sad that I will not be able to enjoy the company of Dona.  The Bruton girls (Dee, Dona and Linda) are amazing women that I love very much and each has given me great inspiration to strive to be a better person. 

 One of my favorite memories of Dona was one day when we had a confused patient on the unit, Dona the "always a nurse at heart" had gone on to see if she could help him with is his confusion.  The patient was wearing "mitts" so he could not do some of the things he had been doing to get out of the bed.  While Dona was in the room talking to him, the patient took his hand in the mitt and hit her on the side of her head.  She continued to talk to him, at a little bit more of a distance, but not so far, he could not reach her.  Dona  got him to settle down and had turned to leave the room when the patient patted her on her butt.  She came out of the patients room and came into the nursing station a bit insensed, she was telling us about this.  I could not help myself, the way she was telling it, it sounded sooooooo funny, that I laughed until the tears were rolling down my face.  Dona, when I started laughing, still a bit insensed but with a half a grin said, "DAVID!!! It's not funny".  By the time I gained my composure she was laughing about the whole thing.  I became quite a standing thing for me to tease her about.  She was such a dear hearted soul.  I miss her so very much.  I have been in nursing a long time.  But Dona still have things to teach each of us, and she always done it willing and with joy.  She knew how to get her employees to do what she wanted them to, without much grumbling from them.  We all knew Dona was tough, but we understood where she was coming from and would do what we were supposed to do for her.  I think Dona had the constitution of a bull.  She would come into work when she could hardly walk and would work the full day.  She would come into work when she was 2-3 pints of blood low and would work the day, and then get her blood transfusions.  I admired her and always will.  Dona, I know your soul was in Heaven before you exhaled the last time.  Your friend, employee and coworker, David

Dona was one of the first persons I met when I came to WARMC. I have always loved her and her spirit. She was my first Core Measures Champion, which I will always appriciate. She will be greatly missed.

Dona,
You have touched so many lives.  You were truly an inspiration to everyone you came into contact with. I am honored to have worked with you from 1996-2001. And then even if we did not see eachother very often, it was a sure thing to exchange Christmas cards everyyear. You always had such a positive attitude in every situation.  Your dedication and loving care was more than anyone could every ask for in a nurse, friend, boss, and coworker,  I have so many fun and fond memories working with you over the years.  Your wisdom and genuine qualities are remarkable. Not only were you a co-worker, and then a boss, but a valued friend to me and so many others.  I learned so much from you.  I remember how you loved how protective us girls always were of you and when we would force you to go home whenever you tried to stay too late at work.  As soon as we would mention Steve's name....a smile would swoop over your face, you would run and grab your stuff, and out the door you would run...."see you girls tomorow."  I remember many proud conversations of you talking about your children and grandchildren.  Thank you for the wonderful person you were. You have touched my heart deeply and I will always hold the memories dear to my heart.