Mary Anne Donohoe, a beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on January 7, 2020. Born on October 28, 1967, in Napa Valley, to Daniel and Ellen Jean (Bertain) Donohoe, Mary Anne brought joy to the lives of her parents and five siblings. Her passion for learning began at the age of two at Caymus School, the little red schoolhouse in Rutherford. She later attended Wintun School and took classes at Vintage High School and Napa College. After graduating, Mary Anne worked various jobs before becoming a housekeeper at the Villagio Inn in Yountville, where she worked with pride for over 20 years.
Mary Anne was a dedicated athlete, participating in many Special Olympics events throughout her life, including track and field, swimming, softball, bowling, tennis, downhill skiing, and gymnastics. In 1986, she participated in the Special Olympics in Brighton, England, as a gymnast on the Northern California team. She was an avid fan of the Forty-Niners, Oakland A’s, and Nascar. When not participating in sports, she could often be found watching them on TV. Mary Anne’s dream of being a Nascar driver was so strong that she once took a shopping cart in a grocery store in Alaska and raced it through the aisles until she knocked down some displays.
One of Mary’s favorite activities was being a greeter at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She took great pride in welcoming parishioners to the 5 p.m. Mass at her beloved church. Faith played a significant role in her life, and she believed that prayer could do anything, even make her legs longer so she could drive.
Mary Anne is survived by her brothers, Dick Donohoe (Lisande) of Anthem, AZ & Joe Donohoe of Napa, her sister Marty Hamaker (David, deceased) of Napa, her aunt, Sister Anne Bertain of San Francisco and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Kevin Donohoe of Wasilla, AK and Dennis Donohoe of Kirkland, WA.
A Rosary for Mary Anne will be recited at 4:30 p.m. on January 30, 2020, at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home. A Memorial Mass will be held at 1 p.m. on January 31, 2020, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Following the Mass, friends and family are invited to a celebration of her life in the church hall. Mary Anne loved to dance and party and will always be remembered for her parting words, “never stop loving you.”
The family suggests that those who wish to make donations send them to the Napa County Christian Ministries for the Developmentally Disabled, PO Box 5131, Napa, CA 94581 or Napa Valley Special Olympics, PO Box 2405, Napa, CA 94558. Memories and condolences may be shared at claffeyandrota.com. Napa Valley Register Obituaries publishes obituaries of those who have passed away in Napa Valley.
