Sky Ranch Foundation Board mourns the passing of Peggy Donovan. A long–time wine and spirits industry executive and Foundation Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, Peg was dedicated to helping rehabilitate youth at risk.
Ms. Donovan began her career in the beverage alcohol industry working for Kobrand Corporation for more than three decades, after which she joined Wirtz Beverage (now Breakthru Beverage Group) working directly with Rocky Wirtz, co-Chairman of Breakthru Beverage Group and the principal owner and chairman of the Chicago Blackhawks. 
Throughout her impressive career, Ms. Donovan held various volunteer positions. A 25-year member of WAABI (World Association of the Alcohol Beverage Industries, Inc.), she served several years as its President. WAABI awarded financial assistance to countless charity organizations including Sky Ranch Foundation. Peg also served as President of the Chicago chapter of Alzheimer’s Association. In 2006, she moved to Florida, and, while there, she continued to actively support Sky Ranch Foundation and also became Guardian Ad Litem for the State of Florida in her respective community.
Foundation President Ralph Aguera notes, “Her leadership goes back to when she was president of WAABI working to keep it afloat while the industry was consolidating and moving away from supporting great causes that counted on them. Whether with her work within the Beverage Alcohol Industry, with the Foundation or elsewhere, Peg was an inspiration and I am proud to call her friend.”
Foundation Chairman George McCarthy comments, “Peg has a seemingly inexhaustible supply of goodness. Her focus and dedication have enhanced our industry and affected countless youth toward achieving a better life.”
Foundation Vice President Mike Dohonoe furthers,” While we were all trying to help kids through our Foundation she actually lived it every day. Peg’s contributions have been the important key to the success of Sky Ranch Foundation and to the industry at large. She had an enviable ability to persevere in the most difficult of cases.”
Foundation Vice President John Bodnovich wrote, “Being around Peg, you couldn’t help but be impressed by how much she cared for kids and how she lived that mission in her work as a Guardian for children who had no one else to turn to. She brought an inimitable combination of compassion and a no-nonsense-approach to her charitable work in the beverage alcohol industry, making sure her peers remained as focused as she was on helping those less fortunate.”
Barry Becton, Foundation Vice President adds, “Peg was one of the first people to reach out when I got involved with WAABI and the Sky Ranch Foundation. Over the next 20 plus years I was fortunate to see firsthand how impactful Peg was in this industry and in ensuring that we were committed to serving and supporting those less fortunate. Her efforts on behalf of children and at-risk youth across the country, especially in Chicago, South Dakota, and most recently in Florida, will live on as a legacy for years to come. We are all better off for having known and worked with Peg and I am thankful that I could call her a friend. She will be missed.”
Dori Bryant, Foundation Director of Partnership Development notes, “Peg could not stop giving of herself, particularly when it came to youth in need, but whenever and wherever she was needed. She was the wind beneath countless children’s wings.”
A Viewing will take place in Brooksville FL on Friday May 20 and a Church Service will be held the following day. For more information, visit www. Brewerfuneral.com
Official Obituary: https://www.brewerfuneral.com/obituaries/Margaret-Donovan?obId=24822270#/obituaryInfo