Donna Ruth Hogan(nee Freeman) was born on August 7, 1950, to Lettie and James Freeman in Chicago, Illinois. Donna(Penny) was the thirteenth child in a family of fifteen siblings. Her twin, Donald(Pat) was born seven minutes later.

The Chicago Public School System provided her elementary and high school education. Donna attended Forrestville and Coleman Elementary Schools. Later, she was a high school student at King High School. Successfully completing both elementary and high school, she continued on to Kennedy King College for two years and then on to Chicago State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. Later, she attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where she earned a Masters Degree in the school of communication.

Donna worked for the Chicago Public Library System until her retirement. She retired from the Whitney M. Young, Jr., Library located at 79th and King Drive in Chicago.

On April 25, 1981, in the city of Chicago, Donna married the love of her life, Tommy Lee Hogan, Sr. To that union was born one son, Tommy Lee Hogan, Jr. Her son, Tommy Lee Hogan, Jr. and his wife Grace (nee Jones) became the proud parents of Donna's and Tommy's grandson, Tommy Lee Hogan III. Tommy Hogan, Sr., brought to the marriage four beloved children, Christopher Hogan(Tammie), Lisa Sisson(Rickey), Philana Kelly(Casey) and Phillip Hogan.

Donna was foremost a loving wife and mother. She always put family first. She loved good food, good music and good friends. She was also a movie and TV buff par excellent. She and her sister, Yvonne loved to impress others with their ability to quote lines from their favorite movies verbatim. Some of her favorite movies to quote from were, "It's A Wonderful Life" quote, "I jumped in to save you!"; from "The Color Purple" quote, "Harpo, who dat woman?" and from "Harlem Nights" quote, "Who's in charge of the girls?"

Donna (Penny) was a "boat runner". She loved to go to the casino with her family and friends. She never met a slot that she didn't like!

Donna departed her earthly home on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. Family members awaiting to welcome her birth into eternity were her parents, James and Lettie; five brothers, Joseph James, Henry Sylvester, Edward Allen, John Leslie and Anthony Sherman; three sisters, Evelyn Elizabeth, Millie Lucille and Lorraine Shelia. Many loving nieces and nephews will fondly remember their Aunt "P". Donna will also be remembered fondly by many cousins, in-laws and good friends.