Donna's obituary
Donna Marie Riendeau (Nee Tate) died peacefully January 18, 2023 in Reno, Nevada at the age of 84.
Donna is survived by her children; Laura Lea Angel, James Robert Riendeau and Douglas Michael Riendeau as well as her four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Robert James Riendeau.
She was born on February 11, 1938 in Alturas, California to Frank “Buddie” Tate and Geneva (Plemmons) Tate. She graduated from Immaculate Heart College with a degree in Art/English. She later studied under Fine Artist Corita Kent. She was the first female from Maryvale Orphanage to go to college, with a full scholarship no less! She won several awards in the California Water Color society. Her painting “Woman of Harvest” won several awards, traveled the world in various shows and even hung in the Louvre for a while.
Her children remember her as a kind, patient, and loving mother who encouraged them to always pursue their goals. She was also the "Cool Mom" whose home all the neighborhood kids hung out at. Active in the PTA and as well as personal chauffeur for all her children's activities.
She was an active and devout member of the Catholic Church and served as the director of Religious Education at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Hollywood, running the RCIA training for Adults, and was even asked by the Archdiocese to create a children’s version of the RCIA working alongside then Archbishop Roger Mahoney. She also volunteered with the Church and the LAPD to develop ways to help teens and young adults escape and avoid gang affiliations.
She was reunited with her husband on February 28, 2023 at Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery in Reno, Nevada.