A Memorable Mother’s Day Before Retirement

When Donna Sweeney sees someone running, her usual reaction is humorous.

“I wonder who’s chasing them?” she says.

Donna’s four daughters – 38-year-old Kristyn, 36-year-old Jaclyn, and 34-year-old twins Laura and Erin – laugh in amusement.

“Our mom is quick witted,” said Her Favorite. “She’s also a good listener, ambitious, determined, patient, ethical, loving, empathic, and loyal.”

While Donna says jokingly that life is “all about her,” in reality it rarely is because she is so unselfish.

“She’s a great working mother role model for us,” said Her Favorite. “She taught us to always go for our dreams and work hard for them – to never settle and to remember ‘I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.’”

After many years teaching and then leading Cabrini High School as an administrator and principal, Donna will be enjoying her well-earned retirement beginning June 2023. Without a doubt, she will use the transition to help her spend more time making memories with her grandchildren and entire family.

“She consistently expresses the importance of family and that we should always treasure our relationships with each other as siblings,” said Her Favorite.

In addition to her four children, Donna has four sons-in-law and nine grandchildren. Her grandbabies are 12-year-old Troy, 11-year-old Jay, 10-year-old Claire, 9-year-old Jordyn, 7-year-old Riley, 5-year-old Joey, 5-year-old Hailey, 3-year-old Connor, and 3-year-old Ellie. 

The daughter of Jim and Mary Lou, Donna was raised in Allen Park, Michigan, with two sisters and one brother. 

Donna married Tom 40 years ago this June – “He was the best I could find at the time,” she quips – and the Sweeneys decided to stay in the Allen Park area to start their own family.

“Donna and Tom wanted their children to be raised in the same neighborhood of St. Frances Cabrini where (Donna) created her own memories as a child and young adult,” Her Favorite explained.

Beyond being surrounded by her family, in her current free time Donna loves to relax by a pool in the sun and read through various books and magazines. According to Her Favorite, she also enjoys shopping for others, drinking wine, walking, a good word puzzle, and watching her hummingbirds.

This Mother’s Day, Her Favorite wants Donna to know that she cannot run away from the fact that they appreciate all she is and all she gives to her children and grandchildren. Especially since no one is chasing her.

“This is a story about our loving, selfless mother and grandmother,” said Her Favorite. “We love you, admire you, and are proud to call you our mom.”