Madonna Marie Schaffner Henderson

Donna Henderson
Madonna Marie Schaffner Henderson
Madonna Marie Schaffner Henderson was born in Dayton, Kentucky, the daughter of Eugene Henry Schaffner and Madge Marie Blanton. View Donna's FamilySearch ancestry profile. Learn more about her and her family in the book The Henderson Family and the California Perfume Company by Gregory F. Henderson.
Important Facts

November 23, 1936	Madonna was born in Dayton, Kentucky. She is the daughter of Eugene Henry Schaffner and Madge Marie Blanton. Her siblings include Thomas Dale Schaffner, Mary Ann Schaffner, and Charles Henry Schaffner. Source: Kentucky, U.S., Birth Index, 1911-1999.	Donna Schaffner
1955	She attended Catholic schools and graduated from La Salette Academy in Covington, Kentucky.
April 19, 1955	Donna was accepted into a two-year X-ray technology training program at Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Covington, Kentucky. During her training, she appeared in a photograph published in The Post, showing her observing a demonstration of a mock-up X-ray unit. After completing her training, she worked as an X-ray technician in doctors’ offices and hospitals for several years before moving to Florida.
1960-1968	While living in Florida, Donna held several positions. She also worked as a secretary for the Pompano Beach Police Department and as a receptionist at Pompano Beach City Hall.
December 1, 1962	Donna was featured in a photograph published in The Miami Herald during the fourth annual Promenade de Paris, held on East Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.
July 2, 1960	Donn'a sister, Mary Ann Schaffner, married Gilbert James Benson at the St. James Church in Ludlow, Kentucky. They had four children together. Source: "Marriage," The Cincinnati Post, The Cincinnati Post and Times Star Cincinnati, Ohio · Tuesday, April 05, 1960.
1968	Donna, her friend Bill Hood, and several girlfriends were on their way to a party. While sitting at the Silver Thatch bar in Pompano Beach waiting for the others to arrive, Alexander "Alex" D. Henderson approached Donna and asked if he could buy her a drink. Donna and her friends tried to persuade Alex to join them at the party, but he declined. Source: Conversation with Donna about Alex's biography, November 15, 2015.	Alexa and Donna (1969)
December 31, 1968	Donn'a brother, Charles H Schaffner, married Sharon K. Kennedy in Covington, Kentucky. They had three children together. Source: "Marriage," The Kentucky Post, Covington, Kentucky · Tuesday, December 31, 1968.
1969	In 1969, Donna met Alex Henderson again at another party given by Bill Hood and they hit it off. He asked Donna out, and after several dates, they finally got together. Donna was unaware of his background and did not realize that he had recently divorced and was the father of five children. They dated for two years and broke up. Donna was planning on moving to San Francisco to start a new life. Alex then asked Donna to marry him. Source: Conversation with Donna about Alex's biography, November 15, 2015.
April 9, 1970	Donna (33) and Alex (46) of Pompano Beach were married in West Palm Beach, Florida at the Palm Beach Court House. Source: Florida, U.S., Marriage Indexes, 1822-1875 and 1927-2001, certificate no: 018335, vol. 2891; The Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach, Florida, April 7, 1970.	Alex & Donna in Australia 1970
April 1970	Donna and Alex flew to London, where they stayed at the landmark Savoy Hotel. They then continued their honeymoon in northern Italy, staying at an upscale resort on the shores of beautiful Lake Como.
October 1970	Alex and Donna participated in a People-to-People tennis tour of Japan and Australia. In Japan, where they attended the Kyoto Night Tour and experienced a traditional dinner with tea ceremony.
May 1971	Alex and Donna participated in a People-to-People tennis tour that took them across Europe, visiting England, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Their travels also extended to North Africa and the Middle East, where they enjoyed a cruise along the Nile River in Egypt and visited Israel and the Dead Sea.
1975-1999	Alex and Donna bought a second home in Aspen, Colorado. The house was on the golf course. They also rented a home in Carmel, California to visit his children.	Trip to Greece
1984	Alex and Donna built their dream house on the ocean at 1212 Hillsboro Mile, Hillsboro, Beach, Florida. The unique design won several awards and appeared on the T.V. show "Miami Vice."
1997	Alex and Donna bought a home at the Carmel Valley Ranch Club in Carmel Valley, California. The house overlooked the golf course. The club had access to tennis courts, dinning room, and a clubhouse.
April 7, 2015	Her brother, Charles Henry Schaffner, died in Park Hills, Kenton, Kentucky. Source: "Obituary," The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio · Thursday, April 23, 2015.	Alex & Donna Christmas 2004
May 12, 2020	Alex Henderson, age 96, passed away peacefully in his home in Carmel Valley. He was cremated and his ashes were later interred in the gravesite Donna had prepared for them at the Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Taylor Mill, Kentucky. Source: "Obituary," South Florida Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida · Sunday, May 17, 2020.	Alex & Donna Christmas 2004
2020	Donna flew back to Ohio to be with her Schaffner family.	Donna Henderson July 31, 2005
September 3, 2026	Donna Henderson, age 89, passed away peacefully at 12:15 pm at her Magnolia Springs assisted living apartment in Loveland, Ohio.
October 17, 2026	Donna’s Funeral Mass was held at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Church in Milford, Ohio, followed by a reception. She was cremated, and her remains will be interred alongside Alex in the same burial plot at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Taylor Mill, Kentucky. Source: "Madonna Marie Henderson, Nov 23, 1936 — Sep 3, 2026," Obituary: Evans Funeral Home.