Marguerite Donato

Marguerite Mae Strauss Donato of Strasburg passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at the age of 91 at Oak Pointe Nursing and Rehab Center in Baltic, Ohio.  Marguerite was born to Arthur Strauss and Nora Nicewander Strauss in Strasburg, Ohio on March 22, 1933 and was the youngest of five children.  She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

Marguerite graduated from Strasburg High School in 1951. On June 20, 1953, she married the love of her life, Raymond Donato, at Strasburg United Methodist Church.  She devoted her life to her children and left her position at the Tuscarawas Auditor's Office when her first child was born.   Marguerite felt that her most important jobs were taking care of her husband and raising her children.  

Raymond and Marguerite built her dream house, doing much of the interior construction themselves, and taking meticulous care of it.  It was important for her to have a home that was open and inviting to everyone.  Meals were always prepared to feed twenty plus people just in case guests spontaneously stopped by the home, a meal and dessert were ready.  

She later returned to secretarial work at the Tuscarawas Public Defender's Office and the Tuscarawas Extension Office.  In addition to raising her four children, the importance of family extended beyond her immediate family as she and Raymond were foster parents of 13 children. 

She loved cooking large meals and baking desserts for her family. She loved planning the Sunday family dinners so that her family could gather to connect at her home.   She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed playing her baby grand piano.  She was always ready for a game of canasta and euchre or just sitting, chatting and having a good laugh and conversation with her family.  She enjoyed canning peaches, snapping green beans, harvesting cherries and apples off the fruit trees from her yard.  Marguerite and Raymond also enjoyed dancing. 

Marguerite was known for being feisty, but she had a kind heart and was filled with pride for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.   She was the heart and soul of the family, and she will be dearly missed by friends, family and all those who knew her.   

Marguerite is survived by her children, Kathryn (Charles) Dimon of Strasburg, Julia (Mike) Renner of Beach City, Cynthia (Dane) Smith of Strasburg, and Daniel (Kathy) Donato of Strasburg; nine grandchildren, Robert, Adam and Philip Renner, Chip and Kristal Dimon, Pierce Smith, Amy, Sara and Mic Donato; ten great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ray Donato, of 67 years, parents, Arthur and Nora Strauss, brothers, Arthur and John Strauss, sisters, Annabelle Strauss and Eileen Strauss Watson, and great grandson, Reece Dimon.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Apr 26, 2024 beginning at 1 PM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where a service celebrating Marguerite’s life will begin at 2 PM with Pastor Brian Flood officiating. A private burial will take place in Grandview-Union Cemetery at Strasburg.