My deepest sympathy to the family. Donna was a amazing kind, sweet person and awesome baker. It was always a pleasure to visit with Donna. She will be missed by all that knew and loved her. The service was beautiful. My thoughts and prayers go out to Donna, her family and her friends. Love and hugs, Susan
1
Donna was a bright spirit who could light up a room with her smile. Thank you for your generosity and for always keeping a large tub of toffee peanuts in the cupboard for me/Monique’s friends’ for our after school visits. :-) I had so many wonderful memories in your home. Rest in peace, beautiful lady. ~Noelle O’Neill
2
Always smiling together
— with
Donna and Gina Marsh
3
Girls: Our condolences. We will miss our friend so very much. We know she is with Frank now and we are so happy for her. Love Rosanne and Ron
1
Bogle Family Vineyards, County Road 144, Clarksburg, CA, USA
3
Happy Heavenly Mother's Day Donna! We met about 22 years ago at the scrapbook store in Antioch. Donna was the mom to me that my mom wasn't, I always told her how much I loved her and how much I loved that she was my mom friend! I went through a very difficult year in 2003. I barely knew her, but I had nowhere to turn, I had to find a place to live temporarily. She didn't hesitate to say, "Of course!" She opened her home to Natalie and I. I said, "Well, don't you need to ask Frank first?" She had said, "No, he'll love you and Natalie!"
And so began a long and loving friendship. Natalie and I lived with her and Frank for a year, I paid rent, cooked and helped clean the house. Ended up being one of the best years of my life. I witnessed true love between her and Frank, even during his illness, she never lost patience, living with them taught me about love and patience and friendship.
They saved me and I am beyond grateful to her. I began a year of healing and the 4 of us became a family (5 including Koadie). A loving family. We shared many laughs and heartaches over the years. She was loving and compassionate to everyone she met and everyone loved (loves) Donna. I am so blessed and thankful that we were in each other's lives all these years. I love Donna with all my heart and I miss her terribly. I want to pick up the phone and talk to her again and drive to their house and spend another weekend with her watching "How- To's" and scrapbooking, while Frank is ironing and watching his "Shoot-em Up" movies!
I have beautiful memories of them throughout the years and of Donna and I later on scrapbooking, cooking and hanging out together on a weekend when time permitted. Thank you for being who you are, I know we will see one another again someday, until then God Bless you and I love you dearly.
3
Even though Donna and I had not seen each other since 2000, we remained best friends, family and phone buddies. We shared our children's lives and then our Grandchildren with each other. I guess we both knew we would depart this life without seeing each other in person again. I will miss her smile, sense of humor, and open heart. She and Frank were our best friends in San Jose. I know they are together again and that makes my heart happy.
3
I have known Donna for 65 years, yes 65! We stayed in touch over the years, through marriages and divorces. Donna was a bright spot in my life, always has been always will be. She was part of the Romero family from a preteen until her passing. I will miss her and remember her until my dying days. We all remember that "Donna smile".
5
I first met Donna, Frank, Monique, and Angie in November 1977. I was a senior in high school, and I had just started dating her sister-in-law, Joyce Valadez, my wife today. She was the Godmother to our two children, nurtured and developed them as their pre-school teacher, and was more a sister than a sister-in-law to my Joyce throughout her life. Donna was family to me
My wife Joyce has a lifetime of stories. My favorite is when she (and her twin Judy) first met Donna when they were 4-years old, Her brother Jim brought Donna to meet his family, and the twins were so shy, they hid under the dining table. Even after Jim and Donna divorced, Donna was still a part of the Valadez family
And when Donna had her first child Monique, on the day she gave birth, Joyce and Judy, age 9, pranced around their house declaring they were now Aunts. They were so excited
My personal memories are filled with joy. I remember Donna’s reading at our wedding, along with her help as a pseudo-wedding coordinator for our wedding reception, keeping everything on time and on schedule. Donna was there by Joyce’s and my side in the delivery room during the birth of both of our children, and she was there for most of our major life events and celebrations. And of course, from Christmas Eve 1977 through 2022, with the exception of 2 pandemic years, we celebrated the holidays as one big extended family. Her won tons and winter potatoes will always remain as part of our family holiday celebration.
I’m thankful we had one last Christmas Eve celebration with Donna this past year. May she rest in peace with her beloved husband Frank.
4
No words can express the emptiness of your presence here on earth. I will always cherish all the memories we created together with our circle of friends in “scrapbooking” and beyond. “Your SMILE” will always be implanted in my heart and thoughts. You were loved by soooo many, Donna. Thanks for being my “forever friend!”
4
Donna your beautiful smile will be missed. The world is a less happy place without you in it, but you are reunited with your beloved Frank for all eternity. Rest in peace and Godspeed, my friend.
5
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