News

By Ron Hayes

BOCA RATON — A former model, accomplished bridge player and 30-year resident of Boca Raton, Dona Culhane, died Nov. 18 after a lengthy illness.
She was 82 and lived at the Stratford Arms.
Mrs. Culhane was born Oct. 1, 1928, in Hudson, N.Y.
After graduating from the Barnard School For Girls, a preparatory school in Manhattan, she worked briefly as a fashion model for the Barbizon School, until her marriage to William Culhane on March 3, 1945, following his service as a Navy pilot during World War II.
Mr. Culhane died this past February, after 65 years of marriage.
Mrs. Culhane discovered bridge while raising her children in Rye, N.Y., and the game became a lifelong love.
“She was an excellent player,” recalled her daughter, Carey Reinhardt, who said her mother “won several tournaments.
She had quite a few setbacks during the last 10 years or so, and showed amazing strength. She always conducted herself in a very ladylike, no-nonsense manner. She had a lot of grit.”
In addition to her daughter, of Wilmington, Mass., she is survived by three grandchildren: Tracy Connelly, also of Wilmington; William Reinhardt of Leland, N.C.; and Adam Crawford of Little Rock, Ark.; and two great grandchildren, Claire Connelly of Wilmington, and Maximus Reinhardt of Leland.
A funeral service was held Nov. 24, followed by interment in Boca Raton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33407.