Donald Shea Obituary

It has been wonderful to hear from all of you. Thank you for entering in Donald's book. He was bigger than real life for all who entered here. We will all miss his wonderful and amazing view of life.

Donald, we love you.

Christmas in Charleston will never be the same without Donald here. This year we are in Charleston sadly reminiscing about last Christmas night(2006) at our Uncle Walter's house when Donald showed up bearing gifts that were as thoughtful and unique as he was himself. We shared lots of laughs together that evening. Donald had such a wonderful way of making everyone feel so good about themselves... because, when he told you that you looked good, Honey, you believed it!! We all loved Donald and will carry so many wonderful memories of him in our hearts forever. Our most heartfelt condolences to the Shea family. Love, The Duanes (Sylvia Duane Molley, Becky Duane McIntosh, Michele Duane Kelly, Patti Duane, Denise Duane Davis, Jack Duane, Martin Duane, and Chris Duane)

From Donald I have the joy of still hearing the silver bell at Christmas as those do who truly believe. Donald loved to give. Amazing gifts, his many talents, the joy of living, seeds from a flower he picked while walking. Large or small packages all with the same magic. He shared with others with an exuberance as big as he. How lucky we have been to be a part of that.

Your Donald was always so sweet -- just a big sweetie bear. No matter what he did for me, I always paid him in 3-bean salad, as if that were really enough. I am so sorry for your loss. I miss my South Carolina family.
Love, Gael

I will always remember Donald as being the kindest, generous person I have ever met. I have such wonderful memories of him. He will be missed. I am so very sorry for your loss.

"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." Abraham Lincoln
Susan

Uncle Donald has always been incredibly special to me. I don't know if it was because of the nicknames "Toad" and "Badger" from Wind in the Willows that we adopted when I was very small, or if it was because of our theatre craze, or anything at all other than he was simply incredible himself. Whatever I was doing, he always thought it was "cool beans." I remember going to see him in "Space Pandas" and meeting him in the lobby after the show with his hair done up like a pumpkin. I couldn't have been more proud, or more excited.

Donald was Uncle Donald to me. I grew up away from Donald but always looked forward to our visits to Charleston. Uncle Donald called me "Monkey Lips". And when I had my first child he sent her a stuffed monkey. I remember being so proud when he was in the movie with Steve Guttenberg and Shelly Long. Even though he just walks through I swell with pride. Uncle Donald always had a special place in my heart. He taught me to be the unique person that I am and not to change just to fit someone else's mold. I know by reading everyone elses' entries that he has touched many lives.

Donald had a sense of life like no one else. He was one of the most creative and inspiring people I had the privilege growing with. Though time had separated us, memories have and will always keep Donald in my life.

My deepest sorrow to his family and friends.

The last time I saw my cousin Donald was in 1988, at our family reunion at the Citadel Beach house. That was in August. That fall, Hugo hit. The devastation that befell is no greater than the loss of our beloved Donald. I remember him standing there, surrounded by the smaller children. Everyone was giggling and they were enthralled by the 6'10 man with the flaming red hair (in a long braid down his back). He was carrying a purse, and had painted his nails black. He stood proud and tall. Donald always knew who he was, and embraced that, as he did life. His spirit is smiling down upon us all. My deepest condolences to the rest of the family. Love.

Much love and strength to you all in this difficult time. I too will miss Donald. He was always warm to me, and wonderfully wild. One of life's true characters who I feel blessed to have known.

Back in the 80's Donald's sister, Nancy, informed me he would be in New York asked if it would be OK to give him my address. I said sure. When I opened the door, there was this red-headed, very tall young man with a leather poncho-type garment adorned with silver studs (that he had designed and made) and the biggest smile I've ever seen. We sat on my windowsill (which views the Empire State Bldg), shared a bottle of wine and talked for hours. He was totally amazed with NYC and could easily have fit right in living here. Of course, his heart was in Charleston and that's where he returned and stayed. I will always remember him and the joy he radiated to all he touched. My condolences to his family.

The gathering that Donald's family had was lovely. When we left, the funeral director (I believe it was Archie) told us that he was so touched by the fact that what he heard from the room was laughter, not sobs. Everyone had funny anecdotes and ones of his giving nature. We are shedding our tears, now , of course, but, for me, he will always live on with his wonderful creative energy. And as Donald would say when we would laugh at one of his new "Donaldisms "No charge"

We are sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

donald will be missed a lot, with his quick wit and great humor. i have a lot of good memories from our childhood. my prayers are with you all.love ,kathy kelley crouse, marty and family

So sorry to learn of your loss. Sissie just called and told me. I have just had major surgery so will not be able to visit at McAlisters. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

After this sudden bolt of sadness, Donald will live on as a joyous place in the hearts that he touched - which are many indeed.

To the family: I'm so sorry to hear of Donald's passing. I have very fond memories from our childhood. Please accept my condolences.

My condolences to all of the Shea family. You're in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Myrna Citron
Mother-In-Law to Jim Shea

All my sympathy to you and your family, Susan. Fondly, Rylee

Please accept our deepest sympathy in your time of great sorrow.

The Heaton family

WE ARE BETTER FOR HAVEING HAD DONALD IN OUR LIVES .WE ARE THANKFUL FOR HIS FRIENDSHIP AND WE MISS HIM.HE MADE THINGS BETTER WHERE EVER HE WAS.

I couldn't begin to recount all the warm and humorous memories I have of Donald over the years. He was one of the most creative people I ever met in Charleston. Just thinking of him makes me smile. My daughter tells me that when she was small, she remembers him as a wonderful red-headed giant who never tired of swinging her around in circles and inventing games to play.
In fact, I think Donald's greatest joy in life came from creating things to make others happy! He will live on in our hearts.

I am so sorry for your loss. My and Becky's thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. May God bless.

I MET DONALD THRU A MUTUAL FRIEND WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE. HE IS THE REASON I MET AND MARRIED THE LOVE OF MY LIFE, MY WIFE KATHY. YOU SEE, IT WAS DONALD THAT MADE SURE WE HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET. FOR THAT REASON ALONE WE ALWAYS CONSIDERED DONALD AS PART OF OUR FAMILY. I HAD THE GREAT FORTUNE TO WATCH HIM GROW IN GRACE AND SHARE THAT GRACE WITH ANYONE AT ANY TIME. IT'S NOT AT ALL IRONIC THAT HIS LAST EARTHLY MINUTES WERE SPENT SHARING WITH OTHERS. EVEN THOUGH I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TALK TO HIM IN BODY I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATIONS WE WILL HAVE IN SPIRIT. KEEP IN TOUCH DONALD!!!

to the family- sorry to hear of your loss. with deepest sympathy- ernie(sandy) comar-from the old neighborhood.

Donald was a funny, and supportive person to be around. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss, our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
The Torres family

I am so sorry to hear about Donald, I can see him now at Catherdal Day School, he and my brother J.W. Ward grew up together. My prayers our with you at this time.

I am truly saddened by your loss. I hope that you will call on us in your time of need. We will be praying for you and your family during this holiday season.

Jim,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Donald will be missed by all. I for one will always have a spot missing.

We send our sincere condolences to Donald's Brother, Jim, of Savanah, and his family, which is also our family. We will be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this holiday season.

Love, Del and Brenda Oxford

Bubba & I wish to express our deepest sympathy to the family during this difficult time. Take comfort in knowing that others share in your sorrow.

Donald was a great help to me in my work and in my private life. He was always caring and willing to help in any way possible. We had more of a working relationship but now I feel I lost a good friend and miss him. Maybe now he knows he had a viable place in this life. I pray that he will be welcomed into Heaven.