Donna Lee Gavora

1931 - 2017

Donna Lee Gavora obituary, 1931-2017, Fairbanks, AK

FUNERAL HOME

Blanchard Family Funeral Home - Fairbanks

611 Noble Street

Fairbanks, Alaska

Donna Gavora Obituary

Donna Lee Gavora had three children younger than 5 and one on the way when she first came to the territory of Alaska in 1958. Her husband, Paul, brought the family to Fairbanks from Chicago to take a job at the University of Alaska. When the job fell through, Donna and Paul had to make do. The early years, particularly the winters, were tough. They lived with their growing family of young children in an apartment at Fairview Manor, and then in a tiny house in Hamilton Acres with a single heat source underneath the living room floor. The winters - and the house - were so cold that ice built up on the inside of the windows. Later, Donna recalled waking up on a typical winter morning, hearing the forecast for another 40-below day, and falling back in her bed, sobbing.
Before long, Donna came to thrive in - if not actually love - Alaskan winters. She was the matriarch of a family of nine children and 19 grandchildren. In her almost 60 years in Fairbanks, Donna not only raised a large family but also was a dedicated teacher, a constant volunteer, an indispensable part of the Immaculate Conception Church and a partner to Paul in building an independent Alaska business. Donna Gavora died of complications after a stroke at her family's vacation home in Kona, Hawaii, on March 5, 2017. She was 85.
Aside from her family, the great love of Donna's life was the Catholic community of Fairbanks. Every Sunday - and many of the days in between - she could be found at the Immaculate Conception Church. She was an accomplished pianist and organist and played the organ at Sunday Mass for decades. She also led the effort to plant and tend to the flowers around the church in summertime.
Donna's love of music led her to want to share it with others. She taught music at the Immaculate Conception School and was instrumental in forming the music program there. Of course, she was diligent about serving up a little Catholic history to her students along with their musical instruction. She was known to introduce a "saint of the day" in music class and provide her students with the history of the holy person. In recognition of her years of service, in 2006 ICS named its music room the Donna Gavora Music Room.
Donna was generous with her very limited time in other ways. She volunteered at the Denali Center, the Pioneer Home and the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. She was a Stephen Minister and brought pastoral support and the Eucharist to the sick and the homebound. Donna was also very active in the March of Dimes, an organization devoted to helping end premature births and birth defects.
She was a singular wife, mother and grandmother. She loved her dogs, gave piano lessons to her grandchildren and was a wonderful and prodigious cook.
Donna Lee Tighe was born in Loveland, Colorado, on Aug. 14, 1931, to Jesse and Leo Tighe. She grew up in Estes Park, Colorado, and met her husband, Paul, at Colorado State University. They moved to Chicago for Paul to finish his master's degree at the University of Chicago and came to Alaska in 1958, where they have lived ever since.
Donna leaves her husband of 63 years, V. Paul Gavora; her children, Alexandra Gavora, Daniel Gavora, Rudolf Gavora, Steven Gavora, Jessica Gavora, Jennifer Button, Carrie Gavora and Matthew Gavora; her sister, Mary Zimmerman, of Paonia, Colorado; and her grandchildren, Benjamin, McKenzie, Cali, Nicholas, Christopher, Alexis, Dylan, John, Madeline, Lucas, Peter, Samuel, Lucy, Raina, Kira, Owen, Abigail, Ava and David. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Pauli.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, in the Holy Family Chapel, 615 Monroe St. In lieu of flowers, Donna's wishes were that donations be made to the Catholic Schools of Fairbanks: www.catholic-schools.org/donate.html. Arrangements were entrusted to Blanchard Family Funeral Home.

Published by Daily News-Miner on Mar. 13, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by Blanchard Family Funeral Home - Fairbanks.

Not sure what to say?





May you, dear Donna, rest in peace in the eternal light of your Creator. Sorry we never met in person - though I did meet your father and mother in the 1960s. Glad we spoke once on the telephone. Your second cousin, Patricia J Walsh

Patricia Walsh

November 30, 2018

I so enjoyed watching Donnas nylon stocking clad feet move nimbly across the pedals on the organ in the choir loft at ICC. I was also privileged to receive caring music instruction from the dream team of Donna and June. Many prayers to the whole Gavora family. May she rest in God's arms peacefully.

Laura Doogan Reeping

June 2, 2017

May Donna rest in peace in heaven with God, the Father.

Mike Del Campo

March 22, 2017

Our Deepest Sympathy to the Gavora family, she was truly a saint herself
Dolores (Tarnowski) & Charles V. Dimon
Yuma, AZ

March 18, 2017

Never knew her, or heard of her; but thanks to the eulogy written by her son-in-law, Jonah Goldberg, I love her. Bless you, Donna.

Lowrie Beacham

March 18, 2017

I treasure my memories of Donna and her dear friend the late June Ulz. They both enjoyed singing in the Fedtival Chorus directed by Dr. Byron McGilvary. I can picture them together again in God's Heavenly kingdom. I send caring thoughts to Paul and the family. Donna did so much for so many. She won't be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Jo Ryman Scott
Manhattan, NY

Jo Ryman Scott

March 17, 2017

I am writing this on behalf of my ex-husband, Mike Dunshie. I know in my heart that he would want to express his sincere condolences and blessings upon all of the Gavora family. I know he would tell you about all the wonderful memories he has playing sports with/and knowing the family. God bless.

Laurie

March 16, 2017

My mother and I spent many years happily working with Donna teaching CCD (after she taught me how to receive First Communion!) and I must admit I admired her greatly and always aspired to her dignity and class. My condolences and wishes for strength and peace to all her family, with special warm hugs to Jessica and Steven, whom I knew best. xo

Stephanie Zeitler Haughton

March 15, 2017

May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. My sincerest condolences. (Psalms 116:15

March 15, 2017

Sounds like a great lady. Her family was lucky to have her for 85 longs years.

March 15, 2017

Sending loving thoughts to the Gavora Family, especially Steve and Jessica. I always appreciated Donna's hospitality for the Sunny Hills kids. Sarah always had good fun times at Donna's home.

Mary Ann Hunter

March 15, 2017

Donna was such a beautiful soul and example of kindness. She was like a second mom to the kids in the neighborhood. My love and prayers go out to the Gavora family during this difficult time. May God bless you all with peace and comfort. Love to you all,Sheila McCumby

Sheila McCumby

March 14, 2017

Donna will be missed by all who have known her.
She was am amazing women of character, strength, family values and loving relationship with friends and family. Our deepest sympathies for your loss.

Meena and Sham Sachdev

March 14, 2017

Bill Allen

March 14, 2017

Steve,Dylan,John & family...sending prayers & HuGs... during this difficult time...always so nice, gracious, beautiful inside & out, amazing flowers & gardens on Sunny Hills and community... Kehaulani,Koa,Mike

kehaulani Belfield-W

March 14, 2017

Dorothy Finch

March 13, 2017

Darlene McCarter

March 13, 2017

We have only good thoughts and memories of Donna. A great loss not only to the family but the community and State. She was a great woman- Robinson Family

Rob Robinson

March 13, 2017

There we so many of us at the Pioneers Home that we're Blessed with the Gift of Donna in our life. She will be missed so much in our community. Jill Nash

March 13, 2017

So very sorry for your loss, our prayers are with your family. Matt. 6:9, 10

March 13, 2017

Donna was a great lady, and is a great loss to the family and the community..

Phil

Phil Tannehill

March 13, 2017

Sorry for your lost Donna was a wonderful person I will always remember her lovely ways. My prayers are with you. Maria.

Maria Senra

March 13, 2017

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Memorial Events
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Mar

15

Memorial service

3:00 p.m.

Holy Family Chapel

615 Monroe St., AK

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Blanchard Family Funeral Home - Fairbanks

611 Noble Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701

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