Donna Lee Bracco died early on the morning of April 6, 2009, after a brave struggle against cancer.   She was surrounded by her loved ones.

      Her death leaves behind a void that was once filled with abundant family dinners, festive holidays and great laughter.   Her generosity and spirit transcended into every aspect of her life.   She was a woman who loved beautiful things and enjoyed sharing that beauty with all whom she cared about.   An avid collector, her passions were contagious.

      She had an engaging laugh that, together with her sister, Irene Mavis, could fill an evening with comic stories of charismatic characters from their girlhood.

      Donna was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Bracco;   mother, Irene Fogarty McKernan;   and father, James McKernan.

      She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Gary Robbins;   son, John Bracco of Old Town, Idaho;   son and daughter-in-law, Gary and JoAnn Bracco of Butte;   son, Ron Bracco and partner, Pate Felts of Washington, D.C.;   son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Leslie Bracco;   son, Steve Bracco of Butte;   brother, James (Kay) McKernan of Reno; sister, Irene (Wes) Mavis of Butte;   brother, Joe (Marilyn) McKernan of Anaconda;   sister, Rose (Joe) Kastelitz of Reno;   four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

      Donna was born March 2, 1939, at St. James Hospital in Butte.   Her father was an Irish immigrant and owner of the McQueen Dairy.   She had her first communion at old St. Mary's Church in Stevensville.   She graduated from Butte High School in 1957 and went to work for the Mountain Bell Telephone Co.

      Prompted by an introduction by her sister, Irene, in 1958 she met John Bracco, a young entrepreneur who owned a floral center located on the downtown flats.   They were married July 11, 1959, at St. Joseph's Church in Butte.

      John and Donna built the cut floral and nursery business (John's Floral Center) at the same time starting and growing a family of six children.   Their plans were side-railed when John was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1969.   John died in 1981 leaving Donna, the matriarch, to parent their children.

      In her recent years, Donna has enjoyed watching her children grow and marry as well as spending time with her grandchildren, Dawnann and Leighann Bracco and Shawn and Kallie Robbins.

      She traveled, shopped and enjoyed keeping up on the daily news.

      She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew her.

      The family will begin receiving guests at 9 a.m. Friday, April 10, in Holy Spirit Catholic Church.   Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery.

      Memorials: Southwest Montana Special Olympics, 825 S Wyoming St., Butte, MT 59701.