Mary E. LeDonne

Mary Elizabeth LeDonne, 66, of Elkhart, passed into heaven at home on March 18, 2023, with the grace and peace with which she lived her entire life. For the last three years, she courageously battled the day-to-day hurdles of dementia, before succumbing to the evil of the disease.

Mary was born January 12, 1957, to the late Anthony V. and Michelina C. (Bibbo) LeDonne in Elkhart, Indiana. From early on, she was very demanding of herself. She never missed a day of school from the fourth grade until graduating from Elkhart Central High School. At every level of her education, she was among the top students in her class. Her academic excellence awarded her scholarships which she carried through graduation from St. Mary’s College. Upon graduation, she declined corporate offers that would have taken her far from family. She chose to develop her career in the local musical instrument industry until compromising her ambition to care for ailing parents. At the same time, she fought and won her own battle with breast cancer, remaining in complete remission for the last seventeen years of her life. She became a student of cancer and developed an understanding and dialogue that could go toe-to-toe with any medical professional. Her heartfelt concern for children with cancer made her a recognized contributor to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital.

Mary developed exceptional cooking skills in Italian cuisine. Her pasta sauce would have made her mother very proud. Her greatest joy though, was seeing the integrity, character and maturity of her nieces and nephews as they have developed productive and prosperous lives. She cherished any role in their lives. She leaves an older brother, James, a younger brother, Robert and her nieces and nephews to cherish her memories. To her family she was the most wonderful daughter, sister, and aunt anyone could hope for. She was deeply loved and will be so dearly missed.

Services for Mary will be private.  Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Any contributions in her memory may be made to St. Vincent School 1108 S. Main St. Elkhart, IN 46516 or Center for Hospice Care 501 Comfort Place Mishawaka, IN 46545.

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