My Dear Cousin Donna, when I think of you, I remember your sweet soul and gentle spirit. You were quiet, kindhearted, and carried a strength that did not need to be loud to be felt. Your beautiful smile could brighten a room and brought warmth to those around you.

When I moved here to California, you were so kind to me. In a season when life felt new and unfamiliar, your warmth made such a difference in my heart. You made me feel welcomed, cared for, and less homesick. I have never forgotten that kindness. Life took us in different directions after I got married, as life often does, but your kindness was a very fond memory I carried in my heart.

My daughter would often say how loved you were by your husband and family, and how beautiful it was to witness. The love that surrounded you spoke so clearly about the kind of person you were and how deeply you were cherished.

A scripture that reminds me of you is Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

You faced many health struggles over the years, yet you kept going with grace and courage. You were such a bright light and an example to others of how to endure pain and hardship with dignity, faith, and quiet strength.

Thank you for the kindness you showed me and for the memories I will always carry in my heart.
We played this song “Scars in Heaven” at my son’s funeral which I will share the Chorus here.

[Chorus]
"The only scars in Heaven, they won't belong to me and you
There'll be no such thing as broken and all the old will be made new
And the thought that makes me smile now even as the tears fall down
Is that the only scars in Heaven are on the Hands that hold you now"

I love you, Donna.

Love,
Anna Flowers

Donna, myself and Angie at the Tyler Mall on November 11, 1980. Loved our going to the mall on Saturdays to just walk around and shop for nothing.  Forever fun memories.

Our best friends celebrating our 40th anniversary with Art and I. 
03/28/2020.

Aunt Donna,
I will always admire your strength you carried throughout life, especially in these last years. The miracles God worked in your life strengthened my faith in a way I’ll never forget and is a reminder he can and he will. I will always remember the last time I saw you and the conversation we had together and I will carry it with me for the rest of my life. I hope to make you proud every day raising my three boys  just like you did. Thank you for giving me the courage to keep going even when it isn’t easy and to keep my eyes on Jesus and family. I will continue to think of you everyday and I can’t wait to see you again in heaven.

All my love, 
Ashley

Donna, 
I'm having such a hard time finding the words for this moment in time. Our good Lord decided that it was time for you to be with him and even though we're heart broken that he has taken you, we/I find solace that you are whole and no longer in pain. Your grace and strength in how you handled everything was to be admired. I loved your laugh, your smile and knowing that you were always your authentic self.  Our friendship to me was one of kind, I loved how it didn't matter how much time passed, we could always pick up were we left off.  For 48 years you have been and will always be my sister... my "bestest friend in the whole world" which is how I always ended our text messages.  I love you, I will miss you everyday, and don't worry about that husband of yours, Art and I will make sure Steve is ok. 
Rest in Peace my sister... my bestest friend in the whole world, till we meet again. 
Love you always, 
Grace

Donna, you were always the quiet loveable one in our family.    You were easy to please, always happy & forgiving.  You suffered with many illnesses throughout your life, but you grinned & fought it.  You were so strong & brave.  I always wished i could trade places with you so you could be healthy & I could do your suffering, but God had other plans for you.  They say God takes the best & He sure did!  You are one of God’s angels now free of suffering ,  I miss you so much , my heart aches for you,  You will always be Mommy’s little girl.  Love you forever 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️

“Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. “ Proverbs 31: 25-26
As I reflect, this verse came to mind to describe my experiences with you, especially the times you were in the hospital over these last years.  I always came away inspired by your strength, dignity, faith, hope and love in spite of your circumstances. This smile on your face in this picture is the smile that greeted me no matter what pain you were experiencing, absolute beauty. I am thankful for your influence in my life to look to the future with hope and trust in the Lord for His strength and help with contentment.  Your influence will live on in those you have left behind as we remember your example.  I love you, Donna, my beautiful sister-in-law. 💕

Aunt Donna,

You were the epitome of strength, resilience and love. I am so thankful God blessed me with you as my aunt. I will treasure my memories with you. Thank you for always being there and always showing us how much you loved your family. Your smile and laugh were contagious, I will miss hearing it. I love you and will miss you. I’ll see you again ❤️

Makenna

Donna you will be missed so much! Your life was a testament to me in courage, strength, and bravery. 

From an early age, you were faced with a long and difficult battle with various illness. Your spirit was amazing through it all. You fought your entire life to be well! Even on your hardest days, you found ways to bring love to those around you. You never forgot anyone on any special day! 

You were a devoted sister, a cherished daughter, loving mother, aunt, and an amazing wife. You always conveyed your love for me and others through it all. 

Though your life was not easy, it was extremely meaningful. You taught me the true meaning of perseverance, the power of hope, and the importance of cherishing each moment of life. Your bravery in the face of hardship will always inspire me. I will never be as strong as you, but will always remember your courage and fight you taught me. 

You leave behind a loving family, and a husband that is a true example for all to follow. I will always carry your memory in my heart. While I grieve your loss, I also celebrate your new life in a whole and well body. With all the battles you fought, I am thankful you have peace and comfort now with the Lord!

You are deeply missed and will forever be remembered. I love you, your brother Tony.

Aunt Donna,

God picked the best Rose in the garden. You have always been my favorite auntie and I will always remember the fun times we shared together. We will all miss you so much!

Rest in peace🌹
Love,
Jefferey

Donna,

We know that you are now in the precious arms ofJesus and finally at peace. But know just how much you are loved and will be dearly be missed.

I am so grateful for the special times we spent together. We enjoyed your visits to Prescott and feel blessed to have spent the holidays together. And for our special trip to Kauai, that was such an amazing journey.

We will always cherish all of the special memories that will live on in our hearts forever. 

Until we meet again, love you very much. 
Love,
Susie

I was lucky to have Donna as my dear friend for over 50 years. We may not have seen each other as much as we would have liked but she was always in my heart. She fought so hard for so many years and was blessed with a wonderful husband, 3 boys and grandchildren. I feel very blessed to have known her. I will miss you always. 
Love you sister-friend ♥️

You were my mommas best friend for 54 years and my aunt for 35 of those years and a great aunt to Camdyn. You were an amazing person, wife, mom and grandma. You were someone I could talk to when I needed into. . I know you are watching over us all now. We will miss you so much.

Love you to the moon and back,
Nicole and Camdyn McDonald

To my beloved little sister Donna. My heart breaks because you are gone from us for now, but you are in heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I thank the Lord for the many years we had together and the blessing of being your big brother. I will always keep your memory alive in our family and remember the many lives you touched. You were one of the most resilient people I have ever known in my life. You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Until we meet again in glory. Love you Donna.

Mom, you were such a beautiful soul inside and out. We will all cherish the amazing memories we had with you. You were an incredible wife to dad, and an absolutely amazing Mom to us kids and Nonna to your grand children. We love you and miss you so much mom.

Donna always had a smile when we came to visit.  We will miss her positive demeanor.   We know her legacy will live on through her three boys and her grandkids.  
Rest in peace Donna.

Cousin Val and Maria

Donna, you changed my life so much for the better. We have 3-wonderful boys, 2- beautiful daughter-in-laws, and four grandchildren. What you wanted in life was grandchildren and I’m so sorry you’re not going to be able to see them grow up. God had other plans for you. I spent 32 wonderful years with you. Just know: I loved you with all my heart and my heart breaks for you daily. I am very thankful that I was able to share the last 10 years with you while on my retirement. I love you, Steve

OBITUARY

Donna Marie Valenzuela

June 26, 1963 – April 6, 2026

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Donna Marie Valenzuela

Willow Lawn