Donna Lorraine Franklin

Donna Lorraine Franklin died June 22, 2026, at Cedar Hill Health Care and Rehabilitation enter in Coraopolis, Pa., after a three-year battle with breast cancer. She was 69 years old.

After losing her father at the age of 12, Donna Franklin settled on her life’s passion.

“Ever since our dad died (in 1969), she wanted to be a nurse,” her brother David Franklin recalled. 

She turned that passion into a profession, graduating from Howard University with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

During her decades-long nursing career, she served as a travel nurse, which enabled her to work with patients in various parts of the country. After her stint as a travel nurse, she worked in various hospitals throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

When Donna wasn’t working, she loved gardening and taking care of her cats.

“She always gave me tips on gardening. She sent me hundreds of seeds over the years, along with tips how to grow them successfully,” her nephew Brandon Franklin said. “She also was very inspiring. She encouraged me to pursue a career in the health care and law field.”

Donna was born Dec. 22,1956 in Sewickley Valley Hospital to the late Clarence and Dorothy Franklin.

Family and friends remember her as strong-willed but loving.

Longtime friend Aaron Thompson said Donna had a profound effect on his life.

“Donna served as motivation and energy for me to work harder, strive to be a better person and become someone would make you proud,” he said. “I will always love you, and your brother is my brother. Your new journey takes you to a higher place where love endures and pain and suffering no longer exists. Soar high my sister.”

Aaron’s wife Helga said although she had only met Donna once they stayed in touch by phone.

“We connected and became friends. Donna and I shared our nursing experience,” Helga said.

“Donna told me she loved me and I returned the feeling.”

Donna excelled academically in school. She was inducted into the National Honor Society while a student at Quaker Valley High School. Growing up, she enjoyed swimming, being part of a Sewickley Brownie troop, and taking knitting lesson.

“She used to look forward to going to her Sunday afternoon knitting lesson,” her brother David recalled.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her brother Clarence David Franklin and his longtime partner Tammy Joyner; nephews Clarence D. Brandon Franklin and Adrien Mombo-Caristan, niece-in-law Adrianna Mombo-Caristan, great-nephew Theodore Mombo-Caristan, and a host of other family and friends.

Donna will be interred at Sewickley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

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