Kay Donna (Donovan) Becker
Kay Donna (Donovan) Becker, 72, of Chandler, AZ, passed away suddenly on June 29, 2025. Kay was born on February 28, 1953 to James and Germaine (Patoka) Donovan in Fond du Lac, WI. After graduating from St. Mary Springs Academy in 1971, she attended Patricia Stevens College in Milwaukee, then worked as an office assistant in the banking industry until the late 1980s. In 1973, she married Gary Becker, and in 1980 her only child, MacGarret, was born. In 1986, a severe car accident forever changed her health and life. Permanently disabled as a result, she turned her energies toward needle crafts, card-making, and making others smile through heartfelt notes and phone calls. She maintained an active social life, enjoyed Bible studies and deepening her Christian faith, decorating for holidays, and celebrating others’ milestones.
Throughout her life, she lived in Wisconsin, Illinois, Florida, Arizona, and Kansas, and is remembered fondly by numerous friends met over the years. She is survived by her son, MacGarret Becker (Leslie) and their four children: Macy, Cora, Edie and Reid; and her younger brother, Brian Donovan (Tricia), and their four children: Patrick Donovan (Lauren), John Donovan, Meghan Donovan (Christopher Heilman), and Molly Graham (Conner). Kay was proud to be a Godmother to Jessica Dvorak, Aaron Becker, and Patrick Donovan. She was preceded in death by her parents and older sister Sharon.
Kay was blessed to have many friends, family and friends who became family throughout her lifetime. Throughout most of the late 1990s and 2000s, she lived in Tucson and Chandler, Arizona. In November 2025, more than 25 family and friends gathered for a prayer service, storytelling, card-making, and a few laughs and tears to remember Kay’s life and friendship.
A celebration of the Liturgy of the Word Catholic funeral will occur on July 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Calvary Mausoleum in Fond du Lac. Kay will be laid to rest alongside her parents and sister in her hometown of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. If you ever received a card – especially one with confetti or comics attached – consider yourself welcomed to this celebration. Extended family from both the Donovan and Becker sides, St. Mary Springs Academy classmates, and friends near and far are invited.
As Kay so loved the color red, please incorporate her favorite color when you join family for this celebration.
If you would like to honor Kay’s favorite causes of reading, arts and crafts, and her grandchildren, donations may be made in her memory to St. Mary-Basha Catholic School to support literacy and creative arts. Visit stmarybashacatholic.org to learn more about the school, then contact 480-963-4951 and speak with Colleen Merrell to discuss how your generosity can nurture God-given creativity in children.