Donna Marie Bossardet was born on November 18, 1951, to Donald and Francis “Betty” Noble. She was their fifth child of seven, growing up in Lake Orion and enjoying everything the lake had to offer. The whole family loved long summer days boating and waterskiing together. Over the years, the Nobles perfected their beloved family recipe “macaroni and tomato juice,” which started as an inexpensive way to feed their large family, but soon grew into a treasured comfort meal that the whole extended family loves to this day.

Donna attended St. Joseph Catholic School, Dominican Sisters, and Lake Orion High School. She was the Homecoming Queen, and although she was sweet, she never backed down from a challenge. After high school, she worked as a teller at the Oxford Bank where she met John Bossardet. He found reasons to visit the bank and finally asked her to lunch. They’ve been together ever since. Donna and John were married on January 22, 1971, and soon after, purchased their first house in the village of Oxford. They welcomed their first child, Jeffrey, in 1973, with Lori, Michael, and Emily soon following in 1976, 1978, and 1982.

Donna and John then purchased John’s family home on Moyers Ave, painstakingly restoring the house and winning numerous Village Beautification Awards. Donna also loved to get creative with the Annual Scarecrow Festival, taking home first prize two years in a row for Scaryl Crow and Scary Poppins.

The Bossardet Family has always been close with their Oxford neighbors, raising their families and enjoying many vacations together in Caseville, Manistee, and Hubbard Lake, MI, where they eventually built their own getaway. Neighbors all remember Donna calling out “KIDS, DINNER” in the evenings, her voice carrying through the neighborhood, bringing her kids back to eat from wherever they might be playing. She welcomed many cats and dogs into the family over the years, as well as any stray creatures her kids (ahem, Emily) might bring home.

As a young family, the Bossardets loved spending time with aunts, uncles, and cousins at the lake, or traveling to Sanibel Island or Naples, FL, where they’d collect shells and enjoy more beach time. They took many other trips together to Maine, California, the UP, and a memorable European vacation in 2007. Donna treasured summer days at the backyard pool or at Hubbard Lake, where she loved to go out on the boat or be with the kids and grandkids, pushing them on the tree swing, playing games, going on walks, gardening, and making the most delicious campfire popcorn. Donna perfected what the family likes to call the “LO exit,” otherwise known as a graceful way to go inside for the night without telling anyone.

After having her four kids, Donna went back to school to study accounting, and then worked as an administrative assistant for the Oxford Village Police Department for many years. She was very active at St. Joseph’s Church, offering Communion sacraments at Mass, delivering Communion, cooking for luncheons, volunteering at the Adoration Chapel, and being a loving, steady presence in the church community. This earned her the nickname “Saint Donna” from her loved ones. She volunteered at local elections and was a member of the Oxford Women’s Literary Society (OWLS). Donna enjoyed cross stitch and quilting, making special quilts for each of her grandkids. She also enjoyed taking walks in the neighborhood and accidentally matching outfits with her sister, Shelly. But her most treasured roles have always been Wife, Mother and Nana.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Betty, her brothers Michael and Pat Noble, and her granddaughter, Elinor Grace Warnke. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John Bossardet, sister-in-law Susan Bossardet, and children Jeff (Tara) Bossardet, Lori (Justin) Ballard, Michael (Jennifer) Bossardet, and Emily (Jacob) Warnke, plus her grandchildren Henry Bossardet; Colin, Ryan, and Alex Ballard; Mason, Andrew, and Eliana Bossardet; and Anna, Lauren, and Leah Warnke. She is also survived by sisters MaryAnn (Darold) Boyd, Shelly (Harry) Curtis, and Debbie (Jim) Rose, and brother Joseph (Laura) Noble and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place at Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors Bossardet Chapel, 39 W. Burdick, Oxford on Monday, September 4, 2023 from 1-8 PM with a rosary at 7 PM. Funeral Mass from St. Joseph Catholic Church, 715 N. Lapeer Rd, Lake Orion on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 11 AM with visitation at the church beginning at 10 AM.