Joann Donegan

Jo Ann Dies Walters Donegan passed away peacefully on February 28th, 2025 at her home. She was 95 years old. 

She was a psychologist specializing in family therapy and substance abuse Born in 1929 in Palisade, Nebraska, she was the daughter of Dr. D.B. "Sandy" Walters, a dentist and Christina Southard Walters, an educator.

Jo Ann's journey led her to Omaha in 1942, where she graduated from Cathedral High School. She pursued her love of music at the University of Nebraska before earning her B.A. in Psychology from Manhattanville College in New York and her M.S. in Psychology from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. She was an active member of Gamma Phi Beta, Sigma Alpha Iota and the American Psychological Association, 

In 1951, Jo Ann married L. Edwin Donegan, with whom she shared more than two decades before their separation in 1973. She spent 40 years in Connecticut, dedicating her life to private psychotherapy practice in New Haven alongside her professional partner, Dr. John M. Rakusin. 

In 2001, Jo Ann returned to Omaha, where she continued her commitment to service as a board member of the Nebraska Advocacy for Developmental Disabilities (N.A.D.P) and the Archdiocesan Social Ministry Commission. 

She is survived by her children, Mary Patricia Galitz (Alan) of Lincoln, Michael Donegan of Denver, Brian Donegan of Moab, and Matthew Donegan (Robin) of Cary, North Carolina. She was a proud grandmother to Ian Galitz, Seth, Jack, Connor, and Dylan Donegan. 

A memorial service will be held at St John’s at Creighton 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Ne 68178 on April 5th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Save the Children