Renee Donnelly, 1936-2023, long-time Historical League member

It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of our dear, longtime Historical League member Renee Donnelly, 1936-2023. Joining in 1986 she held many leadership positions including Historymakers Chair 1995, President 1992-93 and Arizona Historymakers Recognition Chair 2011. She continued to be involved in the Historical League even when she was so very ill. 

Chairing the 1995 Historymakers Gala, she had a great appreciation for her honorees.

Husband Jack and her family were the highlights of her life. She will be missed.

 https://www.azcentral.com/obituaries/par071384

November HL meeting

With business taken care of at the Nov League meeting, it is time for socializing and lunch. Renee Donnelly visits with Wade Weber, Cathy Shumard and Chris Hackett give their reports, Pres. Claire Nullmeyer thanks speaker Wade Weber with Tastes & Treasures II. He gave a fascinating presentation on photographer Edward S. Curtis. Native American history was captured by photographer Edward S. Curtis in 20 leather bound volumes from 1906-1926. With a forward from President Ted Roosevelt and funded by JP Morgan, this subscription was valued at $3,800. Today's worth is $80,000. Fascinating stories and brilliant photography! These are displayed at a new exhibit at Museum of the West. Wade Weber told us about this amazing historical document at our Monday Historical League meeting.

Gracious host Renee Donnelly

Renee Donnelly has Tastes & Treasures prominently displayed in her kitchen, opened to page 176. Wonder which dish she is creating today? Al McLeod and Ruth are enjoying time with this gracious host and excellent cook.

Historical League Volunteers support Women's Hall of Fame event

Julie Moore, Pam Stevenson, Mariamne Moore

Mariamne Moore, Dee Steen, Renee Donnelly

Volunteers are the foundation of all organizations. We have the best with the Historical League, even helping other non-profits.  The sold-out event for Women's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at AZ Heritage Center was well supported.
Tastes & Treasures II was available thanks to Mariamne Moore and Norma Jean Coulter. With Pam Stevenson stopping by, the background stories in our new historic AZ cookbook were shared.

Mariamne Moore sharing stories from Tastes & Treasures II

Museum director Tawn Downs with Norma Jean Coulter

Reception after the Induction Ceremony

Creating Memories on Historical League tours

Peach Bellinis with Renee Donnelly

Having fun on Historical League tour to historic SE Arizona! With 40 on the trip, it was a wonderful time to visit with other members, meet new members and learn a lot of history.

Always glad to have Chris driving our bus

Deb Hester

John Garbaciak

Mary Garbaciak

Pat Faur, Barb Ziehler, Susan Howard

Ruth McLeod and Cathy Shumard

Through the Looking Glass
Carolyn Mendoza, Delores Tomasek, Mary Parker

Zona Lorig with Susan Dale

Jan Murray photo bombing Clede Gorrell

Donors for Tastes & Treasures II cookbook

What a pleasure to deliver books to those who have donated to the new Tastes and Treasures II cookbook. Peggy Withers is a long time Historical League member. We are most appreciative of her support. Ruth McLeod and Renee Donnelly enjoyed visiting with Peggy as she looked over the new book. She even ordered more of our first volume as she loves to share those stories, recipes and photos too!

Two more wonderful Historymaker Exhibit Opening photos

Historymaker Pastor Warren Stewart with Historymakers Recognition Chair Pat Faur

Renee Donnelly with Larry and Margaret Baker

Historymakers Gala chairs meeting

A Meeting of the Minds . . . this awesome group of ladies has chaired the Historymakers Gala and Recognition Program starting in 1992 with first chair Marilyn Parke. It is a privilege and honor to be included in this group. It takes hard work, dedication and passion but the Historymakers program is so very worthwhile.

L to R: Zona Lorig, Nancy Evans, Deb Hester, Jeannine Moyle, Delores Tomasek, Pat Faur, Renee Donnelly,
Carolyn Mendoza, Pat Mason Tanner, Mary Parker, Marilyn Parke, and Ruth McLeod (taking the photo)

 Congratulations on a successful 2017 Historymakers held March. We look forward to 2019.

 The purpose:
- Raising funds for education, exhibits, and other programs that assist the AZ Heritage Center at Papago Park.
- Contributing to the museum’s artifact, oral history and photograph collections.
- Increasing public awareness of the 80,000-square-foot history museum.
- Recognizing and honoring outstanding living Arizonans and celebrating Arizona’s statehood day, February 14, 1912.

History of AZ Heritage Center Musuem

Linda Whitaker shows us some of the hundreds of
boxes of records she went through this summer.

The first meeting of the year with President Anne Lupica included a wonderful talk by museum archivist Linda Whitaker. Linda values the League and all it does, impressing on us the need for keeping accurate records as well as taking oral histories of our members to provide the emotional side of the story.

President Anne Lupica and Linda Whitaker hand out some printed history of the museum.

Susie Brinegar (L) and Renee Donnelly (R) greet Linda after her talk.

Original AHS Museum was the Ellis Shakelford house on Central Ave.

Navajo Tacos at Cameron Trading Post

Renee Donnelly

Fry Bread was popular at Cameron Trading Post with lots of choices for toppings. The recipe for Navajo Tacos is in Tastes and Treasures cookbook.

Renee Donnelly made a new friend with Tiffany Aerion

Karolee Hess, Karen Swanson, Cathy Shumard

Cameron Suspension Bridge history with Lindy Isacksen

Linda Fritsch, Renee Donnelly, Lindy Isacksen,
Sharron McKinney, Ruth Ann Hogan and Katie Tovar.

As we pulled into Cameron, AZ Lindy pointed out the bridge her grandfather had worked on. Lindy comments, "My Grandfather, F.E. Stearman, was the engineer who designed the Cameron Suspension Bridge. I remember staying in Cameron for a short time with my family in a trailer home in the mid to late 1950's while he and my father supervised and oversaw the constuction of this bridge."
Historical League bus tours are filled with so much history.

More hats and happy faces at Recognition Luncheon, Wrigley Mansion

Kay Holcombe, new member Jolene Beard

Incoming President Anne Lupica thanks outgoing
President Margaret Baker

 Photos of fabulous hats and smiles at the Annual Meeting and Recognition Luncheon, Wrigley Mansion, May 3.

Nina Filippi putting finishing touches on Raffle Table

Pam den Draak, Norma Jean Coulter, Museum director Tawn Downs

Renee Donnelly introduces Barbara Barrett

Ruth McLeod with Tastes & Tresures cookbooks, Soleri Bell, aprons, Historymaker books

Wrigley Mansion lobby

Susan Dale, Sandy Loeffler and her daughter, Margie Herman

Susan Irwin accepts $17,000 from League for
National History Day program. Funds raised
from Evening Under the Stars at the David
Wright House April 9.

Tawn Downs accepts grant money for museum