Bette Donlin

Mary Elizabeth Donlin (nee Egan) Bette was born in Ellsworth, MN on June 5, 1921. She was an only child to Ila (nee Christian) and James Egan. Her family was 100% Irish and she was very proud of that. Bette attended Miller High School where she met the love of her life, Paul George Donlin. After high school, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Home Economics at SDSU. She and Paul were married on January 6th, 1945 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington DC and Bette started teaching Home Economics and Chemistry in Miller, South Dakota while Paul was away in the Marines. They eventually moved to St. Paul’s Eastside where they raised their three daughters, Judy, Jane, and Janet. They joined the St. Pascal Baylon parish back before the actual church was built, where they met in a little house. Paul was a key part of the various building committees held through the years and Bette was involved with many events, festivals, and funeral luncheons. Their home was on Conway Street (just a block from the church once it was built) so they became very dedicated and active members. Since they were so close to church, they would often attend daily Mass and Bette would often help clean the building. Even when she got her pink walker, she would still go help out at the different events. Outside of church, Bette and Paul enjoyed dancing, particularly square dancing and ballroom dancing. They had a group of friends who would get together each month to square dance at someone’s home. When it came to music, they really enjoyed listening to big band music from the 40’s. They were also avid golfers and loved getting out on the course together. When they became snowbirds in Phoenix, Arizona, it allowed them to really enjoy their time golfing. Paul was a much respected attorney in St. Paul and Bette would go with him to work on weekends and help with the firm’s bookkeeping. She was an extremely outgoing and funny woman who never lost her sense of humor. In addition to her wonderful personality, she was extremely thoughtful and sweet. In fact, she had several books that she kept addresses and phone numbers for all her family and friends spread all over the country. Each Christmas, she would handwrite letters and cards to all of those people. Bette also really enjoyed playing cards. She had a group of friends who would get together to play bridge, oftentimes at Sergeant Peppers in Oakdale, MN. Bette was a fabulous cook and could make the best comfort food, however, she and Paul still loved to get out and about to restaurants. They lived their life to the fullest and did so much together over their 65 years of marriage. In 2010, Paul passed away and Bette lost the love of her life. She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Paul Donlin, and her parents, Ila and James Egan. She is survived by her daughters, Judy Donlin of Roseville, Jane (Paul) McGinley of Shoreview, and Janet Donlin (Gary Conway) of Algonquin, IL; her grandchildren, Megan (Robert) Brooks, Matt McGinley (Sharon Anderson), Paul Donlin-Asp, Nicole Conway, and Jessica Conway; her four great-grandchildren, Maddux, Annaliese, Ian, and Ramona; and many other family and friends. Obituary as published in the Pioneer Press 2/17/2019 Donlin Bette (Mary Elizabeth) Born June 5, 1921 Passed away February 14, 2019 She married her childhood sweetheart, Paul Donlin, on January 6th, 1945 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington DC. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She also enjoyed cooking, music, dancing, shopping, golf, and most of all playing cards. She was an extremely outgoing and funny woman who never lost her sense of humor. She had a gift for bringing a smile to everyone's face and she filled the hearts of all with delight. Bette was a member of ST. PASCAL BAYLON CATHOLIC CHURCH. Proceeded in death by Paul, her husband of 65 years. Survived by daughters Judy Donlin, Jane (Paul) McGinley and Janet (Gary) Conway; grandchildren Megan, (Robert), Matt (Sharon), Paul, Nicole & Jessica; great grandchildren Maddux, Annaliese, Ian & Ramona, and many other relatives & friends. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, February 22 at 10:30 am at ST. PASCAL BAYLON CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1757 Conway Street, St. Paul, MN with visitation one hour before the Mass. Interment Union Cemetery, Maplewood.