Donnamae McMullen Stewart

Donnamae McMullen Stewart died peacefully with her family at her side March 31, 2018.

She was 91-years-old and was preceded in death by her first husband Michael McMullen, and last great love and husband, Grover Stewart.

Doni, as she was known to friends, was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to Louis W. Hurd and Rose E Seidel May 8, 1926. Upon graduation from Hillsboro High School she was awarded a scholarship to The Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts. Leading an adventurous life, after earning her Bachelors Degree in Theatre, she toured throughout the Pacific with the USO entertaining troops during the Korean War. Flying in a variety of military aircraft and landing on various ships and pacific islands, she provided entertainment on the front lines. She often remarked, “We sang and danced while they fired shells over our heads.”

Continuing her work in entertainment, she was a member of the Hormel Girls, a group of 50 traveling female entertainers that sang and danced to advertise for Hormel Products. She later became known as “Doni Hurd the Weather Bird” while working for KATU in Portland, Oregon. After a time working with the superintendent of the Hemet School System she moved on to PR Director for the Heart Associations of San Diego and San Francisco.
After relocating to Santa Barbara to be nearer her children she accepted a position with Sansum Research Center. Upon her retirement she was an active volunteer in her community working with the Santa Barbara CALM Auxillary and Authors Luncheon.

Doni is survived by her two children Maureen (Mark) Groves and William (Gail) McMullen, her three grandchildren: Court (Crissy) Groves, and Ryan and Jared McMullen, her sister, Patricia Abts, and multiple nieces, nephews, and friends.

A private scattering of her ashes at sea will take place per her last wishes. A memorial will be held for family and friends in May.

She will be so very missed.