The Durango Herald - Memoriams
http://www.durangoherald.com
Mark David Donahue, of Durango, CO, passed away on January 10 at Hospice of Mercy after a short illness stemming from his battle with bladder cancer. He passed peacefully while surrounded by his immediate family.
Mark was born April 6, 1943, in Fort Lewis, WA to Alma Ellen (Drennen) Donahue and Chester Smith. He was raised in Cedar Rapids, IA by his mother "Ellen" and John G. Donahue.
Mark graduated from Washington High School in 1961, attended college first at St. Thomas College in St. Paul MN, but earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Iowa. He married the love of his life and best friend, Sharon (Kegler) Donahue, and together they had three daughters: Kelly (Donahue) Greenfield of Bonney Lake, WA, Molly Donahue of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jennifer Donahue, of Seattle WA. Mark and Sharon shared 57 years of marriage together.
Mark enjoyed a long career as a realtor starting at Bickle and Byers in Cedar Rapids in the 1960s and eventually started his own brokerage, Mark Donahue Realtors. When Mark and Sharon moved to Durango, CO, he continued his real estate career, finally retiring in 2012 from Realty Executives where he was a co-owner.
Mark was very politically active as a lobbyist for Real Estate Associations both in Cedar Rapids, IA, and Durango, CO. He was elected president of the Cedar Rapids Board of Realtors in 1980, 1995, and 1996. While in Cedar Rapids, he also served on the Iowa Association of Realtors, Board of Directors from 1995 to 2001, and was regional Vice President. He was Realtor Emeritus, with the National Association of Realtors.
After moving to Durango, Mark served on the Durango Board of Realtors and was elected president for two terms. Mark was also elected State of Colorado Board of Realtors Vice President.
Mark was active in many charitable organizations during his life in Cedar Rapids, including the Jaycee's in his early years and more recently, the Ex-Club. Mark was especially fond of his lifetime membership at the YMCA of Cedar Rapids Metropolitan area from age 6, where he took his first swimming lessons and then acquired his life-long love of recreational activities. Mark was also a member of Cedar Rapids Country Club where he enjoyed playing tennis and golfing with friends and family.
Community service was always a priority for Mark, so when he and Sharon moved to Durango, he joined the High Noon Rotary and was instrumental in the community effort to combine Durango nonprofit organizations, forming the Southwest Institute for Education and Conservation located at "The Commons."
Mark leaves behind his loving wife and best friend, Sharon, his three daughters Kelly Greenfield (Troy), Molly Donahue, Jennifer Donahue (Sarah Howell), his grandchildren Taylor Greenfield, Jordan Greenfield, Charlie Donahue, and many cherished friends.
A celebration of life will be held for family and friends at a later date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Hospice of Mercy Durango.
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