Donna Mary Grout
March 3, 1939 ~ February 10, 2022
Donna Mary Grout died on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at Heisinger Bluffs, Jefferson City, MO. She was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she lived for her first 25 years, and she was preceded in death by her father Philip, mother Mary and brother Alan.
Donna was first and foremost, a college professor committed to helping students succeed both in school and in life. During her career she taught at Anna Marie College, Southern Illinois University and Northern Illinois University. Recruited to teach in a new student-centered writing program at Lincoln University, she taught for 30 years until retirement. During this time, she started the Writing Center and continued to grow professionally, engaging in research and writing articles focused on developing critical thinking and writing skills.
Her other great passion was music. She started playing the piano when she was five and continued throughout her life, including when she resided at Unity Park, the Memory Unit at Heisinger Bluffs, where she played requests for other residents and staff. In addition, she sang with many vocal groups, including the Jefferson City Chorus.
One of her favorite things was to meet former students, who updated her on what they were doing and thanked her for the guidance she provided. These were treasured conversations and helped her to reconnect with students in her later life.
Donna will be missed by friends and former students, but especially by best friends Kathleen Wojciehowski and Carol Warrington. She, Kathleen, and Carol met at Northern Illinois University and remained lifelong friends, often traveling together in the US and abroad. Kathleen and Donna were housemates in Jefferson City.
Donna believed that it took a village to raise a child and she had warm relationships with Andrew Wojciehowski Wojnoonski, Daniel Wojciehowski Mesenhowski, Lauren Wojciehowski Gauerke, Charles Hansen and Elizabeth Hansen Vanderfeltz when they were growing up. Donna’s village in her last years was Unity Park where staff and residents embraced and treasured her.
Burial will be in Worcester, Massachusetts. A memorial service will be held at Heisinger Bluffs at a later date.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to Heisinger Bluffs or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.dulletrimble.com.
Donna was first and foremost, a college professor committed to helping students succeed both in school and in life. During her career she taught at Anna Marie College, Southern Illinois University and Northern Illinois University. Recruited to teach in a new student-centered writing program at Lincoln University, she taught for 30 years until retirement. During this time, she started the Writing Center and continued to grow professionally, engaging in research and writing articles focused on developing critical thinking and writing skills.
Her other great passion was music. She started playing the piano when she was five and continued throughout her life, including when she resided at Unity Park, the Memory Unit at Heisinger Bluffs, where she played requests for other residents and staff. In addition, she sang with many vocal groups, including the Jefferson City Chorus.
One of her favorite things was to meet former students, who updated her on what they were doing and thanked her for the guidance she provided. These were treasured conversations and helped her to reconnect with students in her later life.
Donna will be missed by friends and former students, but especially by best friends Kathleen Wojciehowski and Carol Warrington. She, Kathleen, and Carol met at Northern Illinois University and remained lifelong friends, often traveling together in the US and abroad. Kathleen and Donna were housemates in Jefferson City.
Donna believed that it took a village to raise a child and she had warm relationships with Andrew Wojciehowski Wojnoonski, Daniel Wojciehowski Mesenhowski, Lauren Wojciehowski Gauerke, Charles Hansen and Elizabeth Hansen Vanderfeltz when they were growing up. Donna’s village in her last years was Unity Park where staff and residents embraced and treasured her.
Burial will be in Worcester, Massachusetts. A memorial service will be held at Heisinger Bluffs at a later date.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to Heisinger Bluffs or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.dulletrimble.com.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
I had the privilege of knowing Donna when I was an English major at Lincoln University working two semesters as a peer tutor in the Writing Center. Donna’s efforts had a lasting impact, especially on struggling freshman students. Donna was part of a group of professors – Linda Wyman, Rosemary Hearne, Mary Louise Savage-Collier – who had a profound impact on LU English majors. Because of these teachers, I was introduced to a new world of amazing writers. My writing and critical thinking skills flourished under their direction. It was an exciting time to be a student at Lincoln. My sincerest condolences to Kathleen and Carol. I will remember Donna with great fondness and gratitude. — Pat Hubbs