Donna L. Cook, of Milan, formerly of Farmington Hills, a beloved mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and dear friend, passed into eternal life, surrounded by those she loved most, on Sunday evening, March 22, 2026. She was 72 years old and bravely lived with a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment since 2021.

Born with a gentle spirit and a heart made for caring on August 3, 1953, in Lincoln Park, to the late Robert and Betty (Kindred) Ricketts, Donna graduated from Livonia Churchill High School in 1971. Not long after, she married her high school sweetheart, Morris O'Shaughnessy, and they enjoyed marriage until 1980.

Donna later answered a deeper calling to serve others, becoming an EMT and paramedic. It was during one of those emergency runs—on a cold day amid a serious accident along I-96 and I-275—that she met Bert Cook, the man who would become her husband and the father of her children. Their story began in the midst of helping others, a fitting reflection of the life she would go on to live. They were married in June of 1982 and soon welcomed their children, Lindsey and Bryan, creating a home filled with warmth, laughter, and unconditional love.

Donna also shared a deeply special bond with Bert's parents, the late Bertis Cook Sr. and Bennie Sullivan, who embraced her as their own. Her relationship with her father-in-law was especially meaningful—it seemed they were truly the best of friends, sharing a connection built on love, laughter, and mutual respect that remained a treasured part of her life.

Though Bert's life was tragically cut short after a brief battle with melanoma on May 4, 1994, Donna carried forward with remarkable strength and grace, raising Lindsey and Bryan with devotion and unwavering care. She never remarried, choosing instead to pour her life into her family.

Determined and resilient, Donna pursued her education at Schoolcraft College, earning her degree as a Registered Nurse in 1999. Yet even with her professional accomplishments, her greatest calling was always her role as a mother. She made it her mission to be present—welcoming her children home from school, volunteering for field trips, and creating a home where everyone felt safe and cared for. The "Cook house" became a gathering place for friends and family alike, complete with basketball games, a swimming pool, endless snacks, and her signature trays of treats.

Donna found deep joy in the simple and beautiful things in life. She loved nature with her whole heart—watching hummingbirds and orioles, tending to her beloved flower gardens filled with lilacs and hyacinths, and volunteering at local animal shelters and Heritage Park in Farmington Hills. Whether teaching children about beehives or quietly observing birds and their nests, she had a unique ability to see wonder in the world around her.

One of the most special ways Donna shared her love of nature was through butterflies. She was known for carefully hatching cocoons and raising butterflies, a quiet and beautiful labor of love. With the help of her grandchildren, she would release them into her gardens—moments filled with joy, wonder, and togetherness that became cherished family memories.

Her nurturing spirit extended to all living things. From rescuing injured animals to filling her home with pets of every kind, Donna's compassion knew no bounds. She had a way of seeing the good in everything and everyone. She was a woman of humor and light, known for her infectious laugh and playful spirit. She loved to joke, to surprise her family, and to laugh until she could hardly catch her breath. Even in her final days, she maintained that same gentle humor, bringing smiles to those around her with her wit, her curiosity, and her ability to find joy in every moment.

Donna's greatest joy in life was her family—especially her grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure. Her bond with each of them was unique and deeply special. Whether reading stories, sharing quiet moments, or simply listening to their laughter, she cherished every second spent with them. In her final months, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, Donna was cared for with the same love she had so freely given throughout her life—a full circle of devotion that meant everything to her.

Surviving Donna are her two devoted children, Lindsey (Keith) Jacobsen and Bryan Cook; cherished grandchildren, Emallie, Shianne, Genevieve, Juliana, and Keith III Jacobsen, and Johnnie and Evelyn Cook; her brother, David (Cynthia) Ricketts; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Cook; former daughter-in-law, Ashley Marshall, and former husband, Morris O'Shaughnessy.

Donna's family is planning a celebration of life on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, from 12pm to 3pm, at The Riverbank Center, 45 Neckel Court, Milan, MI, 48160.

Memorial contributions are kindly suggested to the American Cancer Society.

Donna will be remembered as a woman of deep kindness, quiet strength, and unwavering love. A caregiver by nature, a mother by heart, and a friend to all, she leaves behind a legacy of compassion, warmth, and joy that will live on in all who knew her.

Though her family's hearts are heavy, they take comfort in knowing that Donna's gentle soul has been welcomed into eternal peace—and that her love will remain with them always.