Cecile ‘Marie’ Donker, of Dowagiac

Published 9:45 am Thursday, June 20, 2019

June 27, 1935 — June 17, 2019

Cecile “Marie” Donker, 83, of Dowagiac, passed away peacefully with her family nearby, on Monday, June 17, 2019, at her home in Michigan.

A celebration of life service will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, immediately following the service until 4:30 p.m.

Marie’s final resting place will be with her husband, Richard in Sandy Point, Abaco, Bahamas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Churches of Sandy Point, Abaco, Bahamas or Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to leave a condolence online may do so at clarkch.com.

Marie was born July 27, 1935, in Dowagiac, to Cornelius and Harriette (Stafford) Hiemstra.

She graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1953, and married William “Rich” Donker on Nov. 20, 1954.

Marie opened Marie’s Beauty Salon in Donkers Shopping Center. She and her late husband also owned the family business, Hiemstra food shop, which then became Donker’s Supermarket. Later, it was developed into the Manor Mini Mart, “The Manor” — as it — stands today. The Manor legacy is carried on by her daughter and son-in-law, Debora and Victor.

Marie was a traveler, adventure and aviation enthusiast. Her more notable worldly destinations include New Zeeland and the Bahamas. Marie spent the ladder part of her life in her home in Sandy Point, Abaco, Bahamas. Marie treasured warmth, friends and family, hosting, baking and the color teal! She was a ray of light: welcoming, kind, generous, meticulous and strong. The heavens rejoiced the day she went home; her earthly family, in their sorrow, did as well.

Marie is survived by her daughters, Debora (Victor Jr.) Cuthbert, of Dowagiac and Diana (Randy) Simpson, of Dowagiac; grandchildren, Abby (Shane) Johnson, Alan (Kira) Cuthbert, Kevin (Bethany) Simpson and Kala (Sean) Smith; step-grandchildren, Randy JR. and Ronald Simpson; great-grandchildren, Ty and Trey Johnson, Katie Simpson, Reef and Marina Cuthbert, Sterling and Amelia Simpson; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius and Harriette Hiemstra; husband, Rich Donker; four brothers and three sisters.