Susan (Sherman) Donaher

Susan Sherman Donaher, wife of the late John C. Donaher, Jr., died Saturday evening, April 1, 2017, at home in Fairfield, Connecticut, surrounded by her children. Mrs. Donaher was born Mary Susan Sherman in Minneapolis, Minnesota to the late Dr. and Mrs. Royal V. Sherman and raised in Red Wing, Minnesota. She graduated from the Visitation Convent in St. Paul, Minnesota and Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She married John C. Donaher, Jr. on August 1, 1959 in Red Wing, Minnesota, and subsequently lived in Washington, D.C.; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Dayton, Ohio; Sherborn, Massachusetts; and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The Donahers moved to Fairfield, Connecticut in 1978, where Mrs. Donaher resided for the remainder of her life, other than a four-year period spent in Paris, France. Mrs. Donaher was a volunteer at the Fairfield Women's Exchange in Southport for almost 40 years, where she served in various capacities, including as president and as a member of the board. Mrs. Donaher is survived by her daughter Tracy of Fairfield; her son John of Fairfield; her daughter Brigid and Brigid's husband, Bruce MacDonald, of Hopkinton, Massachusetts; her son Matthew and his wife, Vanessa, of Coral Springs, Florida; her son Patrick and his wife, Cynthia, of Fairfield; 13 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by all for her quiet strength, infinite patience and gentle kindness. Calling hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 7, 2017 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 149 S. Pine Creek Rd, Fairfield, Connecticut. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to The Fairfield Women's Exchange, 332 Pequot Avenue, Southport, CT 06890. For more information or to leave an on-line condolence, please visit www.spearmillerfuneralhome.com.