Donna June Graham

With deep sorrow and abiding love, we announce the passing of Donna June Graham, a devoted mother, beloved friend, and respected leader in higher education. She was 76 years old. Donna loved people, and people loved her. She was comfortable with people of all walks of life and treated everyone with respect.

Born in Detroit, Donna was raised in Flat Rock. She resided in Detroit in her early adult years, where she met David Fitzpatrick and married, having two sons, John and Scott. She remarried in 1980, wedding Kent Wilcox who brought two children from a prior marriage, Frank and Marnie, and remained her beloved confidant until her passing. Everyone in the Brady Bunch loved Donna and the family happily resided in East Lansing. Kent served the State as the Director of the Consumers Council and Donna obtained a Bachelors and Masters Degree from Michigan State, later joining the university administration. 

As Associate Director of the University Undergraduate Division, she touched the lives of thousands of students. She was well-respected for consulting with students in a thoughtful way and helped oversee the mechanics of the university. She loved to walk home from the office along the Red Cedar and found great joy in interacting with students who cherished her guidance. Campus leaders outside the administration also recognized her exceptional way of connecting with people. In a moonlighting role, she helped recruit student athletes, mainly by meeting with parents to promote academic programming. In 1996, she was named Honorary Coach for the football game against UM—a tribute to her Spartan spirit and commitment to fostering the development of young people.

Donna cultivated a broad community of friends. She delighted in hosting gatherings and was renowned for her cooking and eye for art and design; everyone felt comfortable in her tasteful homes. She loved music, gardening and the tranquility of the outdoors. Whether sharing a quiet moment over coffee, celebrating life events, or offering guidance in times of challenge, she gave of herself fully and joyfully. That generosity of spirit imbued her child rearing. Her abundant love and gentle wisdom gave her children a foundation of values they will appreciate forever.

She is survived by her husband Kent, sister Sandy Stauffer, her husband Greg and daughter Jennifer (Palm Bay, FL), brother Perry Kusnierz (Flat Rock, MI), son John Fitzpatrick and wife Katherine with grandchildren Audrey, Josephine and Theodore (Holland, MI), son Scott Fitzpatrick and wife Sara with grandchildren Connor and Fiona (Portland, MI), stepson Frank Wilcox and grandchild Paige (married to Alex Clemons, with great grandchild Gordon in Kentwood, MI), stepdaughter Marnie, as well as countless friends. Donna was predeceased by her parents Peter and Helen Kusnierz and siblings Sharon and Jim.

The family will host a private celebration of her life on June 14. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory, to support ongoing research. Donna was truly an exceptional woman who made the world around her better.