Posted 10/31/2005 10:50:02 AM by Editor
News from Editor viewed 776 times
Monday, October 31, 2005 - Sarasota, FL
Donna McMahon was the guest speaker at the Showfolks Tent #122 Meeting in Sarasota on November 2, 2005.
Donna McMahon speaking at the Showfolks Tent 122 Meeting on Nov, 2.
Donna McMahon has a long history in
the circus. She was born to Paul and Mildred Pyle while they were performing on
Davenport’s Society Circus in Daleville, AL. Ben and Eva Davenport, owners of
the circus, are the parents of Norma Cristiani. Donna’s Uncle Charlie Smith was
also on the show at the time.
If there is one word to describe
Donna , it would be “versatile“. At the age of six she began on the Dailey Bros.
Circus, working on the web and ladder with her mother and Virginia Smith. In
addition, she prepared a solo ring act. She left Dailey Bros. in 1950 and went
on to perform in a number of other shows with her family.
Donna’s real love, however, was with
the animals. She performed with dogs, horses, and elephants, her greatest love.
When she married Joe McMahon in 1959, she moved from performance to management.
Such a variety of experiences prepared her to tackle all of life’s challenges on
the road. She and Joe had two children. Their son, Michael is in law enforcement
in Orlando, and their daughter, Michele, is a teacher in Deland, Florida.
Shirley Adams(r)President of Showfolks of Sarasota Tent 122 giving Donna McMahon an Appreciation Certificate after her presentation at the November Tent Meeting.
The next meeting of Showfolks Tent 122 will be 6:30 PM Wednesday December 7, 2005 at the Showfolks Club, 5204 Lockwood Ridge Road N., Sarasota, FL. There will be a Potluck Dinner followed by a presentation by Jim Shirley of the Police Athletic League/Sailor Circus.
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