No Greater Love
As we honor the history of our nation and those who paid the ultimate price for all we hold dear, I wanted to take a moment to share the passing of my dear aunt, Donna Durning, the first-born of my grandparent’s nine children, who entered eternity on May 15, 2025. Another type of hero in a different type of war, the war for LIFE. A pro-life hero in the state of Kentucky and beyond.
Donna dedicated her life to defending the most vulnerable among us, standing boldly for the preborn with unwavering conviction and compassion. Her legacy is one of faith, courage, and love in action. Shared from Right to Life of Louisville: Donna was a tireless advocate for the unborn. From 1994 to 2022, she faithfully stood outside the EMW abortion center in Louisville, the last facility in the state of Kentucky, five days a week—from 6:30 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. or later—52 weeks a year. She was driven by her unwavering belief in the dignity and sanctity of every human life, as well as her conviction that women deserve better than abortion.
With compassion and courage, Donna counseled countless women on the sidewalk, offering hope, support, and a brochure with resources. She would gently guide them to the Pregnancy Center next door, where they could find the help they needed. Donna’s loving outreach helped many women choose life for their preborn children.
Her commitment didn’t end there. Donna often provided financial support and ongoing care. Grateful mothers returned to the sidewalk to give Donna pictures of their saved babies—quite a few were named after Donna. Moms credited Donna’s brave and kind words with giving them hope needed to make a life-affirming decision. Donna remained in touch with many of these mothers and children, ensuring they had joyful Christmases and Easters.
Her vocation as a wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother filled her heart. As a devout Catholic and daily communicant, her strength and genuine love for other moms and babies was rooted in the truth of Christ’s love and example on the cross.
Not only did Donna advocate on the sidewalk, she advocated for changes to pro-life laws in Frankfort and in Washington. A brilliant classroom teacher with a Master’s degree from Spaulding University, she was able to articulate the scourge on pre-born life in Kentucky as she advocated to end the bloodshed in the Bluegrass State. As we know, Kentucky has outlawed the surgical killing of the preborn and the state contnues to work on strengthening the protection of preborn life.
Donna was known by local and federal lawmakers. On a trip Washington D.C., I was blessed to enjoy breakfast with my aunt and Kentucky Federal representatives, including Rep. Thomas Massie, Sen. Mitch McConnell, and Sen. Rand Paul.
Donna bore the wounds of her own battlefield the sidewalk in front of the Kentucky abortion facility. In April 2019, she was violently assaulted by a post-abortive mother, an attack captured on several videos. Donna suffered a broken femur and other serious injuries from that incident. Though she continued to serve and speak with grace, the physical toll of that day left lasting complications that affected her health in the years that followed. Still, she never wavered in her mission. Donna’s courage, even in suffering, reminds us that the pro-life movement is not without its costs—but also that it is rooted in a deep and unshakable love.
Donna was honored with the Caritas Award from Spalding University in 2000 and received the Dr. Albert J. Schweitzer Award from Right to Life of Louisville in 2002. In 2024, Louisville Right to Life established the Donna Durning Community Award in her honor, recognizing her as the inaugural recipient.
At the Louisville RTL 2024 banquet, I was deeply honored to share a few words about my aunt, with Bishop Joseph Strickland and Abby Johnson in attendance. During his remarks, Bishop Strickland powerfully stated that if we are to end abortion, we must all strive to be more like Donna. May Donna, a good and faithful servant, receive the eternal reward she so deserves and may so many of the abortion victims she worked to save, meet her with joy while celebrating a life well-lived.