Donzetta Nuxhall: ‘a very high-character lady’

Donzetta died on Thursday morning at the age of 93, the Nuxhall family and Nuxhall Foundation ― named in honor of the late Joe Nuxhall, a Cincinnati Reds hall of fame pitcher and broadcaster ― announced this week.

The Nuxhall family said the family’s matriarch was “always Joe’s biggest fan, led a life full of love ― for her husband, for her children, for her family, and for our community.”

“Like her husband, Donzetta made everyone she interacted with feel valued, loved, and appreciated,” according to a statement from the Nuxhall Foundation. “Her life was one of quiet generosity, and her influence in so many of our lives will never, ever be forgotten.”

Joe and Donzetta were married in October 1947, and the family said she was “the glue that made the astounding career of her husband possible.” Her husband never denied that, having once said, “For what she’s been through, I don’t know how to explain it. She’s been an absolute saint, an angel.”

Hundreds of messages of condolences and remembrances have been posted on social media since the announcement of her death.

Larry Handley, a former WCPO meteorologist, posted on the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Facebook page, “So saddened by this but so thankful for the beautiful legacy she has passed along.”

Others describe her as a “lovely lady,” “a wonderful woman,” and having “a wonderful heart.”

Chad Caddell also posted on the Miracle League page, writing that Donzetta “was the picture of warmth, generosity, and legacy. Quietly incredible.”

Stacy Jones posted on the Journal-News Facebook page called Donzetta “a sweet and beautiful soul. Her smile would light up a room.”

In a statement from the Nuxhall Foundation, which supports legacy projects like the Miracle League and college scholarships in Joe’s name, “Donzetta was there to ensure that all was well and taken care of at the Nuxhall family home. While Joe was away playing and broadcasting, Donzetta took responsibility for raising the family and providing a warm and encouraging home life for Joe, (and sons) Phil and Kim.”

Donzetta was her husband’s biggest fan, always sure to scrapbook Joe’s entire career, from newspaper clippings and photos, marking the achievements from his playing days as a Cincinnati Reds pitcher and then a broadcaster.

Joe Nuxhall died in November 2007 from complications of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The Nuxhall family said while saddened by Joe’s death, she was “determined to help his story live on,” and was one of the chief supporters of the projects that helped to establish The Nuxhall Foundation.

“At every pivotal juncture in her husband’s legacy, Donzetta was there to honor him with a kind smile,” according to the Nuxhall Foundation. “At the opening of The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields in 2012, Donzetta rounded third and cut the ribbon to open the one-of-a-kind facility for athletes with special needs.”

One of the latest additions to the Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields was the Skidmore Sales Mini-Golf Club in 2019. In the ceremonial event to unveil the course to the public, Donzetta had the honors of the first putt on the 18th hole, which dons a giant bobblehead of her husband during his playing days as a Red.

She drained a hole in one.

Moeller said of the clutch shot: “That is just so Nuxhall. Joe and Donzetta.”

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

At the request of Donzetta Nuxhall, the family will have a private burial. Plans to honor and celebrate the life of Donzetta Nuxhall are still developing and will be announced at a later date, according to the Nuxhall Foundation.