Donna M. Wagner

Donna Ann McNeill Wagner, 90, of Urbana, IL, embarked on a new journey on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Autumn Fields in Savoy, IL. She was born on November 14, 1932, in North Attleboro, MA, to Donald Bane and Mary Alice Hardy McNeill. She graduated from Lowell High School, Lowell, MA, in 1950. She received a BA from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in 1954. In 2001, she received a Master of Science degree in Botany from Eastern Illinois University. She married William Charles Wagner on August 14, 1954 in Lowell, MA.  They were divorced in 1993. Survivors include a son, William Charles Wagner Jr. of Rantoul, IL; three daughters and their families: Elizabeth Ann Wagner (Alan Coon) of Crown Point, IN; Victoria “Tori” Mary Wagner (Daniel) Corkery of Urbana, IL; and Kathryn Wagner (Erik Chechak) of Kalamazoo, MI. She is also survived by a sister, Roberta Hardy McNeill Romeo of Novato, CA; three beloved grandchildren, Mary Ruth Corkery, Liam McNeill Chechak and Lillian McNeill Chechak; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Edgar MacNeil. Donna was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, known best for making school bags and quilts for Lutheran World Relief, and many banners that adorn the church sanctuary. She also served on the church Council, sang in the choir, and provided altar care. One of her major interests was gardening.  She was an active member of Twin City Garden Club, District IV, and Garden Clubs of Illinois Inc. She was a National Garden Club Accredited Master Flower Show Judge. A lifelong birder, Donna faithfully maintained her Birder’s Life List and Journal of her sightings in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Texas, California, Florida, Maine, Michigan, New York, Hawaii and Costa Rica. A Life Member of Girls Scouts USA, Donna served Girl Scout Councils in New York, Iowa and Illinois over a span of more than 50 years. She worked for these councils in many capacities: Board Member, Neighborhood Chair, Program Consultant, Day Camp Director and Unit Leader, Trainer of Adults in the areas of program and outdoor skills, professional Field Director and leader. A troop leader for more than 25 years, she touched the lives of many girls. She was awarded the Thanks Badge by Green Meadows Girl Scout Council in 1987. At the time, this was the highest award for adults in Girl Scouts. In addition to her volunteer work, Donna was employed by the Illinois Natural History Survey in Champaign, IL, from 2000 to 2016 preparing plant specimens for deposition into the Survey’s plant collection. Memorial will be held on Saturday April 22 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2101 S. Prospect Ave., Champaign.  Visitation 11-noon; service at noon, followed by lunch.  All are welcome. Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Champaign, IL, or to the Girl Scouts USA Historical Archives, 420 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018-2798.

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