R.I.P. to catcher Terry Donahue, who spent four seasons playing in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She died on March 14th from Parkinson’s Disease. She was 93 years old. She played for the Peoria Redwings from 1946-49.
Donahue was born on August 22, 1925 in Melaval, Saskatchewan, Canada. She got her start in baseball at Melaval High School in Moose Jaw, according to a 1950 profile. She spent four years with the Moose Jaw Royals and was voted the outstanding player in the province in 1945. She started off as a infielder but was asked to catch in an emergency. After that, she was a catcher and a very good one, too. Thanks to that success, she was scouted by AAGPBL scout and former MLBer Bill Wambsganss and signed for the 1946 season. In her four years as a Redwing, Donahue hit for a .127 average with 50 RBIs and 67 runs scored. She also stole 44 bases, including 28 in 1946.
After her time in the AAGPBL, she starred for the Covington Belles softball team. Like many of the AAGPBL alumni, she enjoyed the long-overdue recognition that the league earned as a result of the movie “A League of Their Own.”
“If it weren’t for that movie, nobody would have ever known about us. It was just something we had done, was in the past, loved it, but was over with,” she told the Northwest Herald in 2003. “But that movie really brought it out.”
Donahue is survived by her partner of 71 years, Pat Henschel. Their story wasn’t exactly a secret — the AAGPBL Twitter account posted a lovely picture of them a couple of days ago. However, journalist Britni de la Creta wrote a wonderful article last year about the lesbian side of the league and the lengths that AAGPBL officials went through to hide it, deny it and/or get rid of it. I highly recommend it: “The Hidden Queer History Behind “A League of Their Own.”
Follow me on Instagram: @rip_mlb
Follow me on Facebook: ripbaseball
Follow me on Bluesky: @ripmlb
Follow me on Threads: @rip_mlb
Follow me on X: @rip_mlb
Support RIP Baseball
RIP Baseball 
HI Pat, I am so sorry to hear about Terry’s passing. This is Gary Black; perhaps you don’t remember me, but I was friends of Joe and Mike. We attended many parties with you and Terry with fond remembrances of you both. Since Joe has passed, I have lost touch with all of those in Chicago.
LikeLike
We just seen the documentary of Terry and Pat it was a wonderful thing to watch it made me feel at this time with everything going on uplifting and happy that two people can love each other so much. God be with Pat until she meets her only true love .
LikeLike
Just finishing watching the documentary about Terry & Pat what a beautiful love story for a beautiful couple, I cried so many times, tears of happiness for them both, Love to you both ( r.i.p Terry ) 💝
Love & hugs, Heather from 🏴 SCOTLAND 🏴 UK x
LikeLike
Just watched “A Secret Love” about Terry and Pat. It breaks my heart how they had unwavering love the kind we can only wish we can find, but they had to hide it their whole life. The most beautiful story and I pray that Pat is OK. Godbless Terry and her wife Pat. Although temporarily separated, their love lives forever and they will meet again. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story.
LikeLike
We just finished watching the Netflix show “ A Secret Love”. At the end it noted that Terry passed away exactly 3 years ago today due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Throughout the film the ladies were strong and unwavering in their commitment to one another. It truly gives others hope in these troubling times where LGBTQ+ rights are being challenged each and every day. God bless you for being our role models and heroes. Till you meet again.💕🧢💕🧢
LikeLiked by 1 person