Donna Suzanne Deville

  Donna Suzanne Deville, age 61, gained her heavenly wings on February 2, 2024, passing away peacefully after a long illness in St. Joseph, Michigan.

A 9th-generation descendant of one of the area's oldest families, Donna was born on June 6, 1962, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to Gerald David Deville, Sr and Cora Lee Baker. Donna graduated from St. Mary's High School and attended Northwestern State University before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1984. Her stepfather, then-Major Charles McNeely administered her oath of enlistment. After completing her basic training in Pensacola, Florida, and her advanced training at Great Lakes, Illinois, she was assigned to the position of Navy Corpsman at that location, where she met her future husband, Master Chief David Fitzgerald. She was subsequently reassigned to the US Navy Hospital in Okinawa, Japan where she served as an Emergency Medical Technician Petty Officer Third Class. She was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon. Upon completing her military career in San Diego, she returned to Alexandria where she enrolled at LSU-A, subsequently receiving her Nursing Certificate. She was employed at Christus St. Francis Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria as an ER trauma nurse before relocating to Niles, Michigan where she and her husband lived for the last 20 years.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, her stepchildren, David (Rebecca) Fitzgerald, Kelly (Shawn) Borsma, Erin (Mike) Nelson, and Megan Fitzerald. She is also survived by her brother David (Connie) Deville, brother Dennis Deville, sister Denise Deville, sister Lori Deville, nephew Christopher Deville, niece Cyndi Deville, niece Hayley Atkinson, and stepfather Charles McNeely.

Donna adored all her family and cherished her role as the older sister of her siblings. Having been raised in Natchitoches, she never forgot her roots and tried to visit her hometown as often as she could. She had a deep passion for life, loved her pets, working with horses, working in her flower garden, traveling in their RV with her husband "Fitz", listening to music, dancing, and playing her guitar. She will be truly missed by all her friends and family.

A memorial service will be held at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home on Saturday, March 2, at 1:00 PM, followed by interment with military honors in the American Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the local animal welfare society, Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals (FAUNA) or a charity of your choice.