Obituary of Donna Sue Wallace Rush

Mrs. Donna Sue Wallace Rush, 70 a resident of Auburndale passed away Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. Mrs. Rush was born September 1, 1949, in Winter Park, Florida to Johnnie A.L. and Minnie F. (Donaldson) Wallace. She was a lifetime resident of Auburndale, graduated from Auburndale High School Class of 1967, and worked as an LPN in Pediatrics. Donna moved to New Zealand, in 1992 with her future husband, they married and lived in New Zealand until 2014 when Donna moved back to Florida for medical treatment. In New Zealand Donna was the founder of two chapters of “Red Hat Society”, president of the Whanganui branch of The New Zealand American Society, and was the recipient of a New Zealand National Award for Community Education in Fire Safety. Donna supported and got involved with her husband in his work with the Fire and Rescue New Zealand, The World Research Organization, The Australasian Road Rescue Organization and the UN International Search and Rescue Advisory Group.    She was of the Baptist faith, enjoyed staying in touch with Facebook friends from the community, loved to garden, and enjoyed spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents. Donna is survived by her devoted husband of 28 years – Bernie Rush of Auburndale, FL.; 3 sons – Jon Kent and his wife Lisa of Bradenton, FL., Chris Kent of Auburndale, FL. and Patrick Kent and his partner D’Angelo Franco of Lakeland, FL.; stepson – Patrick Rush of London, England; 2 stepdaughters – Shannon Rush of New Zealand and Bernadette Rush of Australia; 2 sisters – Pam Taylor and her husband Jack of Bartow, FL. and Deborah Harris and her husband – David of Englewood, FL.; niece – Brandi Thompson and her husband Dwayne of North Carolina and 8 grandchildren. Due to COVID, we must follow guidelines of 25 people or less and masks. For this reason, immediate family only will attend a memorial service to be held at 2:00 pm Friday, August 7th at Kersey Funeral Home, 108 Lake Stella Drive, Auburndale, FL. 33823.  (863) 967-1167  

The Memorial service can be viewed live on “www.kerseyfuneralhome.com” by clicking on the Donna Rush tribute link at 1:30 pm Friday, August 7th.

Click here to watch funeral service webcast: https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1082704