Donna G. Klein

Donna Guinn Klein was born on January 30, 1947 in  Philadelphia and passed away on May 14, 2019.  Donna was passionate about the law, medicine, and politics. She was a former registered nurse and a graduate of Loyola University and the Tulane University School of Law.  
Donna worked for many years as the General Counsel for Peoples Health and served as an officer on the Board of Directors. Prior to joining Peoples Health, Donna worked for McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC as managing partner of the New Orleans office and head of the healthcare group. Donna was very active and influential in local politics. She served on the healthcare transition teams of three Louisiana governors and completed a five-year term as a member of the Louisiana Board of Regents for higher education. She was very involved  in the New Orleans community. Donna was a board member and head of the leadership program of the Metropolitan Area Committee/Council  for a Better New Orleans.  She also served on the Board of Commissioners for the Bayou District of New Orleans and also served on the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Orleans Regional Heart Association, City Year New Orleans, the Dryades YMCA and served as a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Ernest C. Morial Convention Center.  
Donna was active in the arts community serving on the boards of the Louisiana Children’s Museum, NOCCA and Louisiana Artworks.  
Donna received numerous accolades in the legal industry including recognition by New Orleans City Business as a Leader in Law Honoree from 2003 through 2011 and was inducted into the Leadership in Law Hall of Fame in 2015. She was a Woman of the Year Honoree in 2001 and 2007 and was inducted into the Women of the Year Hall of Fame in 2008. She was recognized by the Young Leadership Council as a role model in 2002 and by the Human Rights Campaign as the recipient of the humanitarian award in 2003. Donna was also selected as one of Woodward White’s Best Lawyers in America in healthcare. 
She was an accomplished cook and the consummate entertainer. She loved mentoring others and was responsible for the success of so many. 
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Russel C. Klein, M.D. and her mother, Margaret T. Guinn, father, Frank H. Guinn, and brother, Frank H. Guinn, Jr. She is survived by her children, Robin and Steven Klein (Helen) and her sister, Margaret Scott (Greg), nieces Brooke Nichols (Josh), Tyler Wright (Kevin),nephews Tucker Scott,  Casan Scott (Jannie), brother in law, Edward J. Klein, Jr., her devoted dog, Jesse, as well as countless dear friends. 
In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to: https://www.touro.com/foundation/tribute/ for dedicated funding in memory of Donna Klein to support ovarian cancer research. 
The family will receive friends Wednesday May 22 from 12:30 P.M. until 1:30 P.M. at JACOB SCHOEN & SON FUNERAL HOME 3827 CANAL STREET NEW ORLEANS, LA 70119. Funeral service will be in the J. Garic Schoen Chapel at 1:30 P.M. Interment to follow in St. Louis #3 cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.schoenfh.com.
 

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