Donna Ann Warkomski Sanchez, 58, passed away on February 27, 2022 due to complications following a stroke, at Northeast Memorial Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.  She was born on August 11, 1963 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania and resided in Belton, Texas at the time of her death.

Donna attended Lehigh University were she received a B.A. in Archeology.  After graduation, Donna moved to New York City where she worked in Publishing.  It was there that she met her husband, Russell Sanchez.  They married in a small ceremony in New Jersey in 1996.  

Donna was kind and loved all animals.  She began working with animal rescue organizations after the couple moved to San Antonio Texas. In her lifetime, Donna has saved over 250 dogs from euthanasia in kill shelters, pulling adoptable dogs for fostering and adoption. Softhearted and loving, she has also personally adopted dogs who were hard to place due to disabilities.  She has given shelter and care to dogs and cats who have endured trauma or hardship and she has helped many dogs find their forever homes.  In 2016, Donna achieved her dream of opening a rescue farm in Temple where she cared for horses, donkeys, goats, chickens, pigs, dogs and cats.

Donna also loved her family and was so proud of her Polish upbringing. She and her mom enjoyed eating peirogis and loved polka music.  She was extremely close to her mom, Ann Warkomski and her Aunt Bernie, and she spoke with great affection for her cousins.  She was also very close to her husband's mom, Nora. 

Donna did endure hardship with diabetes and in the last few years of her life, she lost her sight.  Even through this tough period, she never let it stop her from doing the things she wanted to do.  She was a fighter and a go-getter determined to persevere in the face of adversity and she remained active, taking care of her home and family of fur babies.  She was also wickedly smart.  Every holiday when pulling out the trivial pursuit game, everyone wanted to be on Donna's team because they knew she'd win the game. Donna loved the holidays, especially Thanksgiving.  She was vegetarian so she was always big on side dishes. Her sweet potato casserole was a favorite among the family.  

Donna touched everyone she met and she made a difference in the lives of many people and many animals.  Donna was a special person and will be missed by all.   

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ann Warkomski, father-in-law, Homer Sanchez; and her petchildren, Chester, Wilma, Dirby, Nanny, Bart, Ursula, Penny, Old man, Cha Cha, Ghandi and Jackson.

She was survived by her husband, Russell Sanchez, who recently passed away in 2023.

She is survived by her mother-in-law, Nora Sanchez; brother-in-law, Sam Sanchez; sister-in-law, Jenny Tester (Greg Branum); aunt Leonisse Krason; cousin, Andrea Rice (John); niece, Carly Tester; nephews, Patrick Tester and Christopher Branum (Ashtin Branum); and her petchildren, Isabella, Kiwi, Earl Hickey Jr., Cookie, Jellybean, Hershey, Wildfire and Stella. 

A celebration of life will be held in her honor at the Sanchez home on March 12 at 1pm-4pm.  In lieu of flowers, Donna would be super happy if donations were made to your favorite shelter, Texas Humane Heroes or PAWs of Central Texas.  

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