Carolyn Donakowski

Agnes Carolyn Baker was born to the late George and Lillian (Jobin) Baker on March 18, 1933. Carolyn spent her entire life in the Alpena area. She was raised in Herron on the family farm and later raised her own family in Lachine on her and Jerry’s family farm. On May 22, 1954, she married her devoted husband Gerald (Jerry) Donakowski. Jerry won her heart by faithfully sitting at the end of the counter day after day and winking at her at Top’s Lunch, where Carolyn worked, until she finally agreed to go on a date with him. That one date led to 68 years of marriage, built on love, devotion and the belief that family always came first. Jerry went to his heavenly home on November 1, 2022, where Carolyn believed he and Randy waited for her to join them.

Carolyn was an exceptional homemaker and cook, skills she learned from her mother and while working at Top’s Lunch in her younger years. Later in life, her warm and friendly demeanor made her work at Manning’s Grocery and Quick Stop Market a joy – not just for her, but for everyone she met. Carolyn never met a stranger; her warmth was magnetic. Later in years, she made friends with many store clerks as she visited frequently to buy scratch offs.

She and Jerry shared a deep belief in putting family first. Carolyn was a spitfire, quick to laugh and quicker to make others laugh. She was also hardworking, loyal, and self-sacrificing — a devoted mother, daughter, sister and friend. She loved Bingo, where she often was so busy socializing that she forgot to watch her cards. Since Jerry was always up for travel, the two of them enjoyed many casino trips, usually Jerry winning and Carol gambling the profits. With their love of family, their vacations always revolved around children, grandchildren and always, always tons of fun and laughs. Camping with them was the best!

To her grandchildren she was the legendary “Fun Grandma” — she loved them and enjoyed her time spent watching all of them. Time at Grandma’s house is still talked about today – Grandma Babysitting Stories still surface frequently!

Throughout her later years, Carolyn faced many health challenges with remarkable strength and courage: heart surgery, cancer, broken bones and eventually dementia. She never complained or said, “why me?” Instead, she leaned on the strength she learned from her mother with “I can overcome this with hard work.” She did just that until her fall on August 6, 2025, when God decided her work here was done and called her home on August 19, 2025.

Carolyn is survived by her children, Michelle (Kim) Miller, Bryan (Laurie) Donakowski; daughter-in-law, Peggy Donakowski; 16 grandchildren, Adam (Karen) Miller, Missy (Brad Hohs) Miller, Nicole (Jeremiah) Blaauw, Trisha (Chris) Burger, Travis (Stephanie) Donakowski, Justin Donakowski, Dylan Donakowski, William Holsworth, Catherine (Brian) Kauffman, Erica Digue, Brett (Larissa) Digue, Krissy (Jeff) Beebe, Alicia (Matthew) Liske, Ciji (Nick) Marckini, Preston Donakowski, Matt (Ashley) Burg, Andrew (Cindy) Burg; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Donna (Phil) Timmreck; many nieces and nephews. Each of whom carry her legacy of love, laughter and resilience.

She was preceded in death by her son, Randy; and 14 siblings and their spouses, Winnie (Jimmy) Curtis, Willis (Martha) Baker; Alfred (Delight) Boulanger, Louis (Jean) Baker, Jerry (June) Baker, Fred (Leona) Baker, Joey (Betty) Baker, Warner (Naretha) Baker, Betty Lou (Don) Wysocki, Margie (Tom) Martell, Ronnie Baker, Rosalin Baker, Jay Baker, and Jeanette Baker.

Visitation will take place at the Bannan Funeral Home Tuesday, August 26, 2025, from 4-8 p.m. with a parish prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Bernard Church of All Saints Parish on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Rev. Aloysius Okpala officiating.

Inurnment: Holy Cross Cemetery

Memorial: Thunder Bay Arts Council Sculptures Project