Donna Nevius

Service Information

Service : Wednesday, January 7th at 12:15 pm
Service Location: Shalom Chapel Service
Shalom Memorial Funeral Home
1700 West Rand Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Interment:
Shalom Memorial Park
1700 W. Rand Road
Arlington Heights

View LiveStream here

Shiva Information

Following the service, everyone is invited
to join the family at
Max and Benny’s
461 Waukegan Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062

Contributions
Charity of your choice

Obituary

The family of Donna Nevius is heartbroken by her passing on January 2, 2026, in Barrington, Illinois, where she spent most of her life. Born to Nahoma and Louis Rohr on August 29, 1941, in Chicago, she remained forever young throughout her 84 years. Donna loved her life as a wife and mother and had a passion for traveling, photography, aerobics, listening to music, owning dogs, and playing Mahjong and tennis. For the past 20 years, she also loved being a snowbird, spending each winter in Indio, California, which she affectionately called “paradise.” In addition to her family and friends, Donna adored the countless students she taught during her three decades as a Spanish and English as a Second Language teacher at New Trier, Danville, Fremd, Conant, and Schaumburg High Schools. Donna attended the University of Illinois, where she was a member of the pom pom squad. It was there that she met Joseph Nevius, her future husband, who would work as a landscape architect for the Forest Preserve before becoming the General Superintendent of Cook County. Donna and Joe had two sons whom they cherished: Craig, a Hollywood screenwriter and producer, and the late Brian, a successful businessman and lifelong athlete. Despite her three-and-a-half-year battle with Alzheimer’s, Donna continued to sing until the very end, remembering the lyrics to Elvis songs and her favorite musical, “West Side Story.” She will be forever missed by her husband of 62 years, Joseph; her eldest son, Craig; her nieces, Robin Welch (Steve) and Marilyn Zurakov (Al); as well as her beloved cousins and many friends. Chapel service Wednesday, January 7, 2026 12:15 PM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment following at Shalom Memorial Park. For information, including a link to view the service online, shiva, and to leave condolences, www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520. In lieu of flowers, the Nevius family requests that you make a donation in Donna’s name to the worthwhile charity of your choice.

Guest Book & Memories

Share your memories and photographs below.

GUEST BOOK
PHOTOGRAPHS

GUEST BOOK

January 7th, 2026

It was nice working with Donna. She was full of life and I always enjoyed hearing about her adventures. May she rest in peace.

~Irma Baack
~Colleague at Conant (ESL), Schaumburg, IL

January 5th, 2026

I have only the fondest of memories of Donna with her exhuberant energy, her creativity, and joy for life and her willingness and verve for helping everyone around her! I was deeply saddened to read of her passing and send sincerest condolences to Joe, Craig and Brian, the loves of her life! I once subbed for Donna over Halloween, so she could dress up as a cat and entertain other classes. Always exhibit ing joy and concern, she staunchly supported Craig’s career from its beginning with his first movie (which she honored us by allowing us to attend its Chicago debut), and everything her family did. She also was an avid supporter of her students, always going out of her way to help them. I regret having lost touch with her over the years, but my memories and fond thoughts of her never diminished. May her memory forever be a blessing to her family and all who knew her. Sincerest condolences!

~Sue Masaracchia-Roberts
~friend and former colleague at Conant High School, Vernon Hills, IL

January 3rd, 2026

Joe and Craig, my sympathy to you on your loss of Donna. May your many precious memories bring you comfort. Donna loved you both.
Sandy Borello

~Sandy Borello
~Tennis Friend, S. Barrington, IL

January 3rd, 2026

Donna with Craig & Brian

~Craig Nevius
~son,

January 3rd, 2026

Craig

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

Brian

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

Hanukkah

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

sunshine

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

with Farrah

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

Happy Valentine’s Day!

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

school spirit!

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

Beautiful

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

Forever young

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

Indio

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

Mr. President

~Craig Nevius
~son, LA, CA

January 3rd, 2026

Mad Hatter