DONNA MAE “DEE DEE” HOOKWAY, 65, of Green Valley, passed away on Oct. 13, 2009, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson after a short illness.

She was born on Aug. 18, 1944, in Worcester, Mass. of parents Robert and Doris Belanger. She is a 1963 graduate of Saint Peters - Marion High School in Worcester. She was married to Charles (Charlie) Hookway on March 17, 1982, in Marshall, Mich. and has been his constant companion, executive assistant and travel facilitator until their retirement and settlement in Green Valley in 1996.

Before retirement, she traveled with and supported her husband in work in Asia, Europe, Canada, Latin America and across the United States. In addition to Arizona, they have lived in Queretaro, Mexico, Battle Creek, Mich. and London, Ontario, Canada.

She is survived by her husband of Green Valley; daughter Teri Wilson and son Michael Hookway, both of Battle Creek, and son Todd Dykehouse of Manassas, Va.; sister Sandra Lavelle of Worcester; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Donna was a witty, loving and highly optimistic person who touched lives everywhere she went around the world. To know her was to love her. She never met a stranger and she believed in living life to the fullest. She and her husband have traveled extensively, have taken 40 ocean cruises and have regularly visited family in Colorado and Michigan or hosted family members in Arizona.

Several private memorial events to celebrate her life are planned by the family.