Kith and Kin: Maria Donohue

Maria Donohue
Maria Donohue

This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news but is just as instrumental in making our community the strong and beautiful place we all know and love.

Maria Donohue, 51, has lived in the area for a few months. Donohue, who has three sons and five grandchildren, is originally from Mexico. Her and her husband, Sean, have moved all around the U. S. - they last lived in Kansas City. Currently, they are enjoying small-town life.

Q: What was your first job?

I worked in hotels and restaurants (in Mexico). I liked it. I like communicating with people. I like to project happy energy, you know? Some people think only about work, like machines, it's always work, work, work.

Q: Who inspires you most?

My number one, is God. God is my inspiration. And secondly, my family - my sons, my husband and my friends.

Q: What have you done in life that was most fulfilling?

My opinion is that time is not only for work, time is for enjoyment - you need time for family, time for friends. In my experience, now is the best time for me. It's the best time for my husband and me.

Q: What is something you are proud of?

I'm proud of me - who I am as a person. I can inspire my friends, inspire my family, because I'm strong.

Q: What profession would you like to attempt?

Any work is fun, depending on your attitude. I'm always looking around myself for motivation. Because 90 percent of people don't love work. I don't care the position isn't important. It's important to make a difference, to be a quality person. It's the attitude. You have to work, for yourself, for your home, for money. You just have to work. If you project a nice attitude, people will see your energy.

Q: What profession would you not like to do?

I'd do any job - it's not complicated for me. Life is very short. You have to be positive, you can't be negative.

Q: What is something no one knows about you?

Many people don't know about when I have a problem. I don't reflect my problems. I don't show that on the outside. Sometimes people will put their stuff on Facebook - but I don't need other people to be worried. Everybody has problems, but my problems are for myself, not for anybody else.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?

I like the farms around town. My dream is to live in the country. It's different in a city or a town. Life is different in a city, it's more busy, more fast. I enjoy it here because it is beautiful. I love Fulton, I love the community around and the farms.