Obituary for Donna Marie Erwin
Donna Marie Erwin, 90, of Austin, Texas died Tuesday, March 21, 2023 in Amarillo, Texas.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 25 at Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel in Canyon with nephew Shannon Brooks officiating.
Donna was born May 21,1932 to Elta Alice Rittenhouse and Charley Bryan Erwin on the family farm in Randall County near Claude, Texas. She attended Canyon schools graduating from Canyon High School in 1950. She completed her education at West Texas State College by graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1954, followed by a Masters in Music in 1955.
Donna’s extraordinary talent and love of music awarded her a job as female vocalist with the Ralph Flanagan Orchestra after graduation. With the stage name “Key Largo” she toured with the band traveling many places in the United States before deciding to settle down in Austin, Texas.
In Austin she taught choir at Maplewood Elementary School for 7 years before joining with her good friend, Joy Davenport, physical therapist, as co-owner and office manager of The Physical Therapy Center in Austin in 1962. As an astute businesswoman her career continued on in 1987 to become business manager for Associated Healthfocus , administrative assistant for Rehability Centers and finally as business manager for Long Orthodontics until her retirement.
One of Donna’s most prized attributes was her uncanny ability to find the most perfect gift. Although she never had children of her own, her nieces and nephew were treated as such. They along with other family and cherished friends were the recipients of the best birthday and Christmas gifts! Yet, her greatest gift to them was that of herself. Her enthusiastic personality, warm smile and generous spirit were irresistible. Everyone looked forward to her Canyon home visits where her parents resided. In like manner whenever her nieces or nephew would visit Austin with friends, she made them all feel like her own children doting on them as only she could do. She was “Aunt Donna” to so many more than just her own family.
Donna’s gift of music never left her and continued throughout her life as she served her Lord with her beautiful voice as a devoted member of her church choir at the University Christian Church in Austin for 59 years. Her other loves in addition to her family were her dachshund puppies and her many travels with her church and friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Kenneth Erwin( Anna Ruth) and Harold Erwin(Billie) both of Amarillo. Survivors include four nieces, Barbara Sides(Dale), Karen Breitling(Don), Tracie Brooks(Shannon), Lisa Darnell(Randy) along with nephew David Erwin(Sue), all of Amarillo; as well as many great nieces and nephews all of which loved their “Aunt Donna” dearly.
Memorial contributions can be made in Donna’s name to the University Christian Church choir program, 2007 University Avenue, Austin, Texas 78705.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 25 at Brooks Funeral Directors Chapel in Canyon with nephew Shannon Brooks officiating.
Donna was born May 21,1932 to Elta Alice Rittenhouse and Charley Bryan Erwin on the family farm in Randall County near Claude, Texas. She attended Canyon schools graduating from Canyon High School in 1950. She completed her education at West Texas State College by graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 1954, followed by a Masters in Music in 1955.
Donna’s extraordinary talent and love of music awarded her a job as female vocalist with the Ralph Flanagan Orchestra after graduation. With the stage name “Key Largo” she toured with the band traveling many places in the United States before deciding to settle down in Austin, Texas.
In Austin she taught choir at Maplewood Elementary School for 7 years before joining with her good friend, Joy Davenport, physical therapist, as co-owner and office manager of The Physical Therapy Center in Austin in 1962. As an astute businesswoman her career continued on in 1987 to become business manager for Associated Healthfocus , administrative assistant for Rehability Centers and finally as business manager for Long Orthodontics until her retirement.
One of Donna’s most prized attributes was her uncanny ability to find the most perfect gift. Although she never had children of her own, her nieces and nephew were treated as such. They along with other family and cherished friends were the recipients of the best birthday and Christmas gifts! Yet, her greatest gift to them was that of herself. Her enthusiastic personality, warm smile and generous spirit were irresistible. Everyone looked forward to her Canyon home visits where her parents resided. In like manner whenever her nieces or nephew would visit Austin with friends, she made them all feel like her own children doting on them as only she could do. She was “Aunt Donna” to so many more than just her own family.
Donna’s gift of music never left her and continued throughout her life as she served her Lord with her beautiful voice as a devoted member of her church choir at the University Christian Church in Austin for 59 years. Her other loves in addition to her family were her dachshund puppies and her many travels with her church and friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Kenneth Erwin( Anna Ruth) and Harold Erwin(Billie) both of Amarillo. Survivors include four nieces, Barbara Sides(Dale), Karen Breitling(Don), Tracie Brooks(Shannon), Lisa Darnell(Randy) along with nephew David Erwin(Sue), all of Amarillo; as well as many great nieces and nephews all of which loved their “Aunt Donna” dearly.
Memorial contributions can be made in Donna’s name to the University Christian Church choir program, 2007 University Avenue, Austin, Texas 78705.