Tributes

Donna Lee Buckelew passed away peacefully in La Quinta, California on July 28, 2023, surrounded by family following a courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Donna was born on May 25, 1935 in Riverside, California to George and Ethel Dean. She graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School in 1953. Following graduation Donna married Howard (Bud) Myers on April 5, 1954 in Riverside. They lived in San Diego and San Bernardino until 1982 when they divorced. In 1970 after being a homemaker raising her three children, she added the role of an administrative assistant for various employers (including a CPA firm, California State University San Bernardino, TRW, and Hughes Aircraft). Donna married Jesse Buckelew on December 29, 1986 in Torrance, California. They lived in Redondo Beach until retirement and moved to Palm Springs followed by Henderson, Nevada, where they enjoyed an expansive view of the Spring Mountains range and the Las Vegas strip. She later moved to assisted living facilities in Riverside and La Quinta. Donna spent her life loving family, friends, colleagues, and others, by giving her time, her energy, and her love. She had a smile that lit up the room. Even in the throes of Alzheimer's her caregivers nicknamed her "Sweet Donna". She enjoyed interacting with family and friends: playing games (including bridge, poker, Yahtzee), participating in activities (including bowling, golf, and bocce ball), and hosting parties with margaritas, scotch, or wine and good food surrounded by 1950s and 1960s music (including Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elvis). Throughout her life she travelled extensively visiting family and friends and experiencing new places (such as Hawaii, Mexican resorts, Germany, and numerous US cities). She loved cruises with Jesse and friends (such as the Caribbean, Mexico, the Mediterranean Sea, and Alaska's inside passage). She was an avid reader, especially murder mysteries and romance novels. She also enjoyed volunteering at hospitals and schools. Donna is survived by her husband Jesse and her children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren: Stephen and Alia Myers (Torrance, California); Marla and Paul Kraut (Genesee, Idaho) and children Jennifer and Seth Vore and their children Madeleine and Mason (Portland, Oregon), and Deanne and Doug Anderson and their children Ethan and Riley (Pullman, Washington); Connie and Steve Behncke (Eustice, Florida) and children Christian and Nathan Orr and their children Grey, Naomi, Georgia, and Merric (Cedar Hill, Florida), Mary and Dean Walker (St. Augustine, Florida), Zachary Behncke (Eustice, Florida), Leah and John Kaufman and son Calvin (Eustice, Florida), Sam and Aubrey Behncke and their children Olive and Myles (Okahumpka, Florida), Elijah and Genesis Behncke (Clermont, Florida), Claire Behncke (Eustice, Florida), and Ethan Martin (Hannah's son). Donna is also survived by her step-children and step-grandchildren: Jesse and Brenda Buckelew, Jr. (Colorado Springs, Colorado) and children Jesse Buckelew III, Andrea and Jared; Melissa and John Russo (Rancho Mirage, California) and their children Allison and Nicholas; Michael and Jennifer Buckelew (Colorado Springs, Colorado) and son Casey; and several nieces and nephews. Donna was preceded in death by her parents George and Ethel, sister Betty Jo DeFalco, and granddaughter Hannah Martin. A celebration of Donna's life will be held in the fall in Palm Springs, California.

Tributes

Donna Lee Ethel Buckelew

May 25, 1935 - July 28, 2023