Juanita Donehue

Mrs. Juanita G. Donehue, age 76 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Monday, February 6, 2012, at St. Mary's Health Center. Juanita was born October 1, 1935, in Jefferson City, Mo., the daughter of James and Clara Baumgartner Eynard. She was married on December 27, 1955, in Warrensburg, Mo., to A.C. "Pete" Donehue, who preceded her in death in July, 1997. A lifelong resident of the Jefferson City area, Juanita graduated from Fatima High School, Westphalia, Mo. She received a B.S. degree from Lincoln University and a M.S. degree in Economics from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Juanita taught school at Fatima and Helias High Schools where she taught economics, psychology, history, and was the social studies department chairman. She was one of the original founders of the Helias Foundation and served as the first co-chairman of the Foundation Fund Drive. She was also the first woman to serve as President of the Helias High School Board of Directors. She was inducted into the Helias Hall of Fame in 2010. Juanita began her career with the Missouri Association of Counties in 1974, being appointed Director of Governmental Affairs the following year and Assistant Director in 1979. She became the Executive Director in January, 1980. In 1981, she received the President's Award for the National Association of Counties, recognizing her as the Outstanding State Association Executive of the year. In 1985, she became the first woman president of the Missouri Society of Association Executives. In 1996, she was elected by her peers from around the country as the President of the National Council of County Association Executives. She retired on August 1, 1999. Juanita and her husband, Pete, owned and operated C&H Tavern from 1970 until 2003. In 2003, she opened O'Donoghue's Steaks and Seafood with her son, Sam, and it has become a favorite local restaurant. Juanita's contributions to the community are legendary. She served as treasurer of the Jefferson City Art Event. She served on the Old Towne Revitalization Committee, the East Side Business Assn., the Downtown Business Assn. and the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce. She volunteered her time and effort to many historical projects in the community including the revitalization of the east end, co-chairing the Mayor's Committee to redevelop the central east side and creating the first Tax Increment Financing district in Jefferson City. Her restaurant building was placed on the National Register for Historic Preservation of Historic Places in 2002. She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church where she was a tireless volunteer in her parish. She served as chairman of the administrative committee for 10 years and worked on several capital campaigns. She was the current president of the Homeowners Assn. at the Palisades Condominiums at the Lake of the Ozarks. Survivors include: one daughter, Sally O'Neill and her husband Jim of Fairway, Kan.; one son, Samuel Donehue of Jefferson City, Mo.; three brothers, James E. Eynard and his wife Agnes of Jefferson City, Mo., Raphael Eynard of Holts Summit, Mo., and Wayne Eynard and his wife Kathy of Bonnots Mill, Mo.; one sister, Wanda Walker and her husband Ron of Taos, Mo.; three grandchildren, Patrick O'Neill, Peter O'Neill, and Thomas O'Neill; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one son, Peter Donehue in July 1987. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 9, 2012, with a prayer service to be conducted at 3:30 p.m. in the Freeman Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Church with the Reverend Monsignor David Cox and the Reverend George Kramer concelebrating. Graveside services and interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Helias Foundation. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com