Miriam Cecilia Donohue, 74, died on July 19, 2015, of a rare and aggressive cancer. She was born on Oct. 9, 1940, to Henry and Cecilia Meisz (nee Kram) of Baltimore, Md. She grew up in the city and held it in her heart even as life took her to distant points. Birthrights like the Orioles, Rheb's chocolates and Old Bay crab cakes were keepsakes all her days. Miriam met Kenneth Donohue at a church dance in 1959. They were married in 1961, at St. Bernard's Church, and lit up dance floors for decades whenever the chance arose. Ken's career as a U.S. Army administrator took the couple to Indiana, Baltimore, Ethiopia, northern Virginia and, finally, Alaska. At every stop, Miriam reveled in her role as a homemaker and mom. She cheered loudly at ballgames and showered her kids with kindnesses such as love notes tucked into lunchboxes and school clothes put in the dryer to stave off winter's chill at the bus stop. She tried new recipes eagerly and cleaned fastidiously. Hers was the kitchen floor you really could eat off of (if you could dodge the perpetually moving broom). She rejoiced in simple pleasures: walking, reading, solving the crossword and playing cards (and with glee when she outplayed Ken). She remembered birthdays and other events with handwritten cards that often spilled with confetti. Following her own father's footsteps, she lovingly tended a flower garden that drew praise from passers-by. She introduced her grandkids to root beer floats and French toast and the discovery of pulling a carrot from the earth. Miriam invested greatly in her Catholic faith and took from it purpose and resolve. She helped develop Chi Rho, a social group for Baltimore's young adult Catholics. She worked for the Anchorage Archdiocese for 25 years, was a Minister of Holy Communion and, after Ken became a permanent deacon in Anchorage, she was on the advisory board that guided the program. She kneeled daily to pray, a worn copy of the Magnificat at hand. Miriam was preceded in death by her husband, Deacon Ken Donohue; her parents; and her sister, Dorothy Cooper. She is survived by her children, Brian (Nicole) of Seattle, Wash., Erin (Robb) of Anchorage, and Mark (Geri) of Shreveport, La.; and by grandchildren, Brooks Donohue of Seattle and Emily Grace, Caleb and Jack Donohue of Shreveport; as well as many other extended family members. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2015, at St. Patrick's Church, 2111 Muldoon Road in Anchorage. Mass will be preceded by a recitation of the rosary at 10:30 a.m., and followed by a reception at Deacons Hall at the church. Burial will be on Monday, July 27, 2015, at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Miriam asked that donations be made to the Sisters of Life, 38 Montebello Road, Suffern, NY 10901-3824; or to the Deacon Ken Donohue Scholarship Fund at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, 2091 E Huffman Road, Anchorage, AK 99516.