Donna Rae Green

Donna Rae Green (nee Egan and better known as GG, Gramma, Queen Bee, MaDonna, Don, Mrs. Green, the terminator, the OG) passed away peacefully at her home in Park Forest on September 13th, 2023. She was born on July 26, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Warren and Elsie (nee LaPointe) Egan. She married the love of her life, Arthur E. Green. She is survived by her daughters: Cynthia and Kimberly, aka Cindy Lou and Kimmy, respectively; grandchildren: Andy (Paula) Fleck, Matthew Green, Brandi (Jeff) Azbill, Shannon (Ryan) Duncan, Ryan Isaacs, Ashlee (Rick) Oliver, Tim Isaacs; great-grandchildren: Cody, Madison, Alivia, Evan, Zach, Zoey, Penelope, Abigail, Arthur; great-great-grandson: Elijah; brother and best friend: Frank (Diane) Egan; sister-in-law: Vlasta "Pat" Egan; and many, many nieces and nephews who loved to join in on the ongoing argument about who was “GG’s favorite”. The truth is that everyone was GG’s favorite person. She was a safe space for all who knew and loved her and had the privilege of sitting around her kitchen table. No one ever left her house without feeling more loved (and possibly drunk) than when they arrived. She never missed the chance to do a shot of Fireball with her grandkids, sign up for a football pool and get mad every time she didn’t win, pet a dog that she claimed to hate, and most importantly to provide a listening ear and the best, most honest advice. She hated musk perfume, drinking milk, brushing your hair in the kitchen and the forbidden F word (a trait many of her grandkids did not inherit).

She passed the same way she lived: unapologetically, on her terms and in her own way. She taught all of us that the most important things in this life are family and staying true to yourself and the things you believe in.

GG loved Marlboro Lights, Pepsi, Christian Brothers Brandy, the Game Show Network, Law & Order: SVU and triple 7’s slot machines. But her absolute favorite was having her family hanging out at her house, where all of the great grandkids were offered no less than two helpings of ice cream (whether they ate their dinner or not) and the best backyard this world has to offer.

She was a force of nature whose fierce love and legacy will surely last for generations to come.

Donna is preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years: Arthur (better known as Ernie, Big Ern, Grampa, Gramps); her brothers: Jim and Ray Egan; sister in laws Joy and Pat Egan; her daughter: Cheri Fleck; her granddaughter: Jeni; and her parents: Warren and Elsie Egan.

GG was adamant that we don’t “waste any money” on traditional services (we’ll save that cash for playing slots in her honor soon). Instead, we will be planning an Irish memorial in her backyard October 1st, 2023. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in the Queen Bee’s honor to the roulette table or a slot machine at Four Winds Casino.