On a cold winter’s day on January 8, 1967, God lit up the world with the most beautiful, compassionate, joyful, and talented soul, a girl named Donna, named after her beloved father, Donald. Though it is impossible to truly encapsulate in words the impact she left on her husband, children, family (fur babies included), friends, and students, she would want anyone who reads this to walk through the chapters of her life with smiles and warmth.

As a child, Donna grew up in a big blue house her dad lovingly built in the countryside. Her swimming pool, roller rink, and yard filled with wildflowers and roaming fur babies brought her so much joy. Her cousins and friends always filled their home with laughter. Donna was proudly nicknamed "Bird" by her dad when, even at the youngest age, she would sing with the purest melodies, a soprano that could match even the most ethereal notes of the songbirds surrounding her home. She quickly picked up the piano as well and always invited her friends and cousins to sit alongside her on her piano bench as she created her own melodies of favorite songs. Local preachers would beg her to play at church services as well, and she would humbly agree, as she wanted her gift of playing and singing music to fill the hearts of everyone. She mirrored, and always will, a Disney princess in her presence and song.

As high school came in the blink of an eye, she met her future sister-in-law at their local 4-H fairgrounds. The 4-H fair was so special to Donna, and it would become even more so as she continued to share many memories at the fair with her future husband, Robert. When Donna met Robert, it was a fairytale. Robert, the multitalented athlete, and Donna, the academic and choir star, were adored by their friends, peers, and teachers. One of their favorite memories was being crowned Prom Queen and Prom King, a story their children would love to be told about again and again. A second favorite memory was Donna hosting much of their high school class at her home to watch the premiere of the music video “Thriller,” marking not only her love of being surrounded by people, but also celebrating her love of all things Halloween.

After high school, as Robert worked his way to success in his career, Donna set her sights on a degree in Business Education where she put her love of children, especially middle school and high school age groups, first. Her professors saw her astuteness, her compassion, and her ease in making any course material seen through creative lenses. All while balancing her studies, she continued to dedicate her free time to the arts with her piano playing and singing. Donna and Robert, being of course destined for eternal love, were married in the summer of 1988. In the midst of all her dreams for education, music, and keeping up with making wonderful memories with her family (her favorite being the long summers in Boca Grande, Florida), becoming parents became the top priority for Donna and Robert. Even as a child, Donna knew being a mother was her calling.

After moving into their first home, Donna and Robert’s dream of having a child was granted. Donna shifted her focus from teaching to raising her first child, Ashlee. Donna and Robert tell Ashlee every year around her birthday about the warmth of God’s love they felt driving home with Ashlee as a newborn and hearing their song, “Everything I Do” by Bryan Adams, play fatefully on the radio.

Donna and Ashlee were, and always will be, inseparable. Ashlee remembers all the beautiful things she was surrounded by thanks to Donna: books, art, flowers, music, travels to beautiful places, and their favorite, shopping. Inspired by Donna’s heart for teaching and servant leadership, Ashlee chose to become an educator herself. The favorite trait Ashlee gleaned from her mother, however, was her ability to embody and model courage through every chapter of life.

Three years after Ashlee was born, Donna and Robert welcomed their baby boy, Brandon. Donna and Brandon were also inseparable, finding joy in music, playing outdoors in nature, and always seizing opportunities to learn. Brandon notes how even at a young age, he knew his mother was multitalented through her eloquence, creativity, knowledge, and strength.

Donna chose to be a stay-at-home mother for Ashlee and Brandon. She was their one true educator, taking them to many museums, trips to the library, nature walks, and opportunities to learn music (Ashlee finding her joy in playing the cello, and Brandon with the double bass). Both Ashlee and Brandon reflect on the feelings of warmth while hearing songs of worship echoing through their home as Donna played her grand piano with the utmost grace. They loved the fresh flowers that Donna would find locally or import, always arranging them herself into displays not even top designers could rival. Whether Donna was running Ashlee to cello lessons, getting Brandon to track, throwing themed parties for her 4-H Club (she was a proud 4-H leader for over 15 years), or planning endless trips (their favorite being long stays at the Wilderness Lodge Villas in Disney World), Donna always proudly balanced it all, making each moment of life magical. Her children call her “supermom.”

In all the extracurriculars, travels, countless nights of practice, and helping her children perfect their studies, Donna, most importantly, taught her children and husband the power of knowing God’s presence. Ashlee fondly remembers that at a young age, Donna took her into their backyard garden and pointed to the trees, stating, “Every time you feel the wind, that’s God with us.” She would point to the flowers, too, as signs of God’s creation, presence, and love. Birds would always sing in her presence whether she was on a private beach, in a bustling city, walking the paths at Magic Kingdom, or in her backyard. God knew Donna, still living true to her nickname of Bird, was attuned to His love and compassion.

Her faith led her to return to teaching as she helped Ashlee and Brandon transition to adulthood. She taught hundreds of students not only to learn the English language, but to learn to love and find their place in their new home in the USA. Donna made sure all of her ELL students were nurtured by a love of learning and compassion. From providing her students with school supplies to making sure they always had ample resources at home, Donna went above and beyond to ensure each and every one of her students was loved. The countless emails she would receive from past students checking on her and asking her to return to teach their grade brought Donna so much joy. In her last teaching position, she was able to fulfill her students’ wishes by following them to the high school. In that choice, she shared she had so much peace knowing she had more time to teach and care for her students.

The last event Donna excitedly coordinated for a family milestone was Ashlee’s wedding at Disney World. The love, care, and sheer joy Donna put forth throughout the process made the day special for Ashlee and her beloved son-in-law, Jonathan. Although Donna knew this day was about celebrating Ashlee and Jonathan, her family knew deep down that the idyllic flowers, the gilded and sparkling decorations, and the light reflecting off Cinderella’s Castle nestled beautifully in the background of the ceremony were all parts of life’s goodness that were reflective of Donna’s soul.

Donna would want anyone who was blessed to know her to embrace God’s love each day and to always find joy. Donna knew intimately the hardships life can bring, but she would always turn to prayer and find God’s strength in the nature surrounding her and in her ability to always find humor in life.

Her family wants anyone who reflects on Donna’s life to remember her faith, laughter, music, servant leadership, love of flowers, and resounding joy. Donna would encourage anyone to honor her through decorating with or growing flowers, volunteering to help their community (especially families who are new to our country), playing or singing music, planning a Disney trip with loved ones, and finding moments to laugh each and every day.

A celebration of life will be shared with close family and friends at a later time.