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Obituary
PURDY, Donna Marie (Mimo)
On October 7, with her loving family by her side,
Donnie passed away peacefully with all the grace and
dignity that epitomized the life she shared so
generously with family, friends, and all who came to
know her.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Oliver,
and brothers William (Skip) Purdy and Rick Oliver.
Donna is survived by her beloved life's partner, Carol
Jean, her brother Dennis (Sheri) and sisters Mary,
Deb, Lynne, niece Katie, and nephews Ryan, Justin, and
Jordan. She also leaves behind her loving daughter
Jean (Mark), two grandchildren Randi and Erin, four
great-grandchildren Anna, A.J., Allie and Isaac, as
well as her many dear friends who were blessed to have
known her.
Donna was born in Stoneham, MA, on September 30, 1957.
She began life as a frail child who had to overcome
numerous early health challenges. But overcome them
she did. Donna was a mischievous child who was given
to exuberant bursts of enthusiasm sometimes much to
the chagrin of her older siblings. While attending
school, Donna's beautiful singing voice became known
and she sang lead in many school productions. She
graduated from Melrose High School in 1976 and after a
couple of years gave into her desire to see the world.
Donna proudly served in the United States Air Force
for ten years as a Mental Health Technician. While in
the Air Force, Donna was stationed in Japan and
traveled the country extensively. She even conquered
Mt. Fuji. While in Japan, Donna started entertaining
children in the base hospital as Mimo the Clown. She
had taken her mother's clown name as it was she who
first coaxed Donna into wearing a clown costume and
joining her in town parades. Donna was medically
discharged from the Air Force while stationed at
Mather AFB in Sacramento, California.
By this time Donna and Carol had been together for
approximately two years. Donna was trying to determine
what her new career path would be and together they
opted for Donna pursuing her clowning talents. After a
couple of years they started their own entertainment
company that is known today as The Imagination Shoppe.
Donna (Mimo) is now recognized as a premier clown in
the entertainment community of Northern California.
Her love of children and a growing desire to teach as
well as entertain led to her to the creation of the
'Happy Healthy Heart Program.' This nutrition program
was created and performed for preschoolers,
kindergarteners, and first graders. To date, the
program has graduated over 8000 children in the Elk
Grove Unified School District. Additional programs
have been taught in Preschools and Head Start
locations in surrounding Sacramento areas.
While her time on earth was much too short for those
of us who knew her and loved her, there is comfort in
her legacy of laughter, kindness, generosity and true
caring.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will soon be held for
Donna with laughter, smiles, and precious memories
being shared.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be
made in her name to St Jude Children's Hospital.
To donate please use these steps:
1. www.stjude.org/specialevents
2. Click on sponsor a participant
(small red print under big red button)
3. Click on California on US map
4. Enter 95842 in the zip code box Click Find
5. Click on Professor Mimo's Happy
Healthy Heart Fund for St Jude
6. Click on Donate to this fund
7. Thank You !
Published by The Sacramento Bee on Oct. 20, 2013.
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