Barbara Jean Dondero

Barbara Jean (Black) Dondero, born May 5, 1934, passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2025 in Canton, Michigan. Barb was the life of the party. When not on the phone laughing and plotting with her dear friends, sharing wisdom and listening to her beloved family, or eliciting the life story of every telemarketer, Barb was likely to be mixing margaritas or crafting favors for the next party. She was a magician with fabric, sewing family Christmas pj’s annually for decades, tailoring wedding dresses, and reupholstering the same couch at least three times. Similarly, she made holidays magical with elaborate decor, lifelong traditions, and elaborate and cheesy dinners that not only ran late into the night but started late in the night. Few could love the beach as much as Barb, who made as many pilgrimages to the white and pink sands of Florida and “The Cottage” at Mullett Lake in Aloha as she possibly could, sharing her love and bounty with all in her world. Above all, Barb loved her people for and about whom she regularly created clever and whimsical poems, ditties, and (laminated) collages, which are among the many treasures she leaves behind. 

Barb grew up in Detroit with her beloved parents Dr. Perry and Mrs. Hugena (Robertson) Black, who lovingly raised her in Detroit. She graduated from Kingswood School, where she made lifelong friends in Julia and Fritzi, and met her husband Philip Dondero, with whom she has enjoyed the past two years happily rediscovering their love. After attending multiple colleges together, including Northwestern University and MSU, and after several moves, Barb and Phil settled in Royal Oak, Michigan. There, they were founding members of the Vinsetta Yacht Club, along with treasured friends including Becky, Carolyn, Marion, Sue, Bridget, and Kay, who kept her updated on the latest news into her final days. 

Barb is the proud and loving mother to Kim, Dana, and Drayke (Mary) who lovingly cared for her, and of Brooke and Drew (Dana), by whom she is predeceased. She is the adoring grandmother to Lara (Charles), Lorne, Dalton, Tanner, Leo, Maria, Finn, and Rocco.

A caring cremation was entrusted to Walter Scott Skupny Funeral Home, 28605 Gratiot Ave. Roseville, Michigan 48066.