#23 Namesake Don 52 Ancestors in a Year

#23 Namesake   Don

The blog for this week was easy to think of, yet hard to write.   I have spent the week looking for the right pictures.  

My father’s name was Don.  When his brother, George and his wife, Estella, had their first child, she was named after her uncle Don.  Donnee Shaffner.  She was born in 1943, while Don was serving in World War II.  Donnee’s middle name was Rea, after her grandmother, Della Rae Shaffner.  

Don & Donnee

George was the oldest son of John and Della Shaffner and Don was the 3rd son.  Don and George were very close.  In fact, at any gathering, Don and George would be in the corner talking.  Like they hadn’t seen each other for days and it might have been the day before when they were in another spot talking.  They didn’t exclude anyone from their conversation, if you could talk about cows.  If you couldn’t talk cows—don’t even consider entering the conversation!  

They loved cows and ranching and lived it every day.  While Don became a veterinarian, his family was there at graduation in 1949.  Donnee was there too.  She would have been 6 years old. 

Donnee Shaffner Stibal

Donnee was the oldest grandchild.  She was the favorite and had the limelight until I came along 7 years later.  She always laughed and said I stole her thunder!   I am so glad she was the favorite of Grandpa’s as he worked with her on the family history.  Thanks to them, our family has a rich treasure of photos and stories.

When Donnee’s daughter’s had children, the name Don was figured into their names.  Anna Donn and Kenadie Donn.   The legacy of 2 people important in so many lives are carried on as namesakes.  

Family History was important to Don and Donnee.  Yet, I could find no pictures of them together as adults.   So the challenge to the family--please look through your pictures and see if you can find one for me!  I would add it to the blog if you can!

And if you didn’t get the name Don in your name, we grew up respecting and loving the Don’s!