Donna Elise Scoggin

Donna Elise Darwin was born to William Garland Darwin and Daphne Elise Darwin on December 22, 1936, in Hope, Arkansas. She was one of four children; with brothers Gary, Kent, and Scott. Scott has preceded her in death. She and her siblings spent summers at her grandparent’s farm, having cantaloupe eating contests and swimming in the cattle pond. Her time at Nanny’s and Pappa’s were highlights of her childhood. The siblings would all return to the city in time to start school. Donna enjoyed a very active social life throughout high school. She “knuckled down” when she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming an RN. Donna graduated from Saint Vincent's infirmary school of Nursing and by a twist of fate became an RN at Yellowstone National Park. There she met and fell in love with Gary Scoggin, a Yankee, and their first date was the night of the Yellowstone earthquake.

They married on July 31, 1960, to the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and settled in Topeka. He became a teacher for the Topeka School District; she continued to work as an RN. In 1971, the Scoggin family was offered an opportunity for Gary to teach at the American Community School of Addis Ababa Ethiopia. They remained there for two years, and it instilled a deep love of travel. Upon return to the states, Donna continued her career as an RN, eventually working as a school nurse. She saw over thirteen schools in the Topeka district and gave thousands of girls “THE TALK.”

The couple would work summers in Yellowstone and upon retirement would also winter in Arizona. They traveled throughout Europe, The Holy Lands, the far East, and Australia. Friendships were formed throughout the world, and they would often stay vacationing for months at a time.

In 2019 they opted to move to Brewster Place. She peacefully passed away on June 26, 2026, holding Gary’s hand. She will be honored by the Nurses Honor Guard, as she continued to be a nurse in her heart well past retirement.

She is survived by her husband Gary Scoggin, and her children, Gary Neal Scoggin (Janice) and Nany Elise Marston (Raymond). Neal’s children are Sarah Marie (Ross) Tesler and Sondra Beth Scoggin. Nany’s children are Sheena Elise Hollenbeck (David) and Jayda Ayala Xavier (Jacob). There are six great grandchildren. The Elise name has now been handed down for five generations.

Her surviving siblings include Gary Darwin (the late Beverly), Kent Darwin (Kay) and the late Scott Darwin (Thomas).

A memorial service with a visitation 1 hour prior will take place on Thursday, July 23, 2026 with a time to be announced. 

The service will be livestreamed and will begin 15 minutes before service time. The link to register to watch will be available here.

Donna Scoggin Loved with a Love that was Greater.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Avenue, floor 17, Chicago Illinois, 60601.