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Steven Donner Obituary
June, 1953 - November, 2014
Steve Donner, beloved husband of Merry Lynn Donner, died after a long illness. The son of Jack and Marie, brother to Michael, Uncle to Ilana, Shelly, Haley, Aaron, Ryan, Hannah, Audrey, Lauren, Lindsey, Courtney, Matthew, Sam, Adrian, Caroline, Kristen, and friend to too many to count.Steve was Stage Manager for over 70 equity productions including; A Chorus Line, Ain't Misbehavin', Best Little Whorehouse, HurlyBurly, Cabaret, Carousel, Crazy For You, Damn Yankees, and Dreamgirls. He started his career at The Old Globe in San Diego, TheatreWorks in Palo Alto and worked at nearly every major theater and company in Southern California including The Mark Taper Forum, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, La Mirada Theater, Los Angeles Opera Repertory, Westwood Playhouse and the Southbay Civic Light Opera. In between, he was a writer and stunt designer for The Price Is Right, Face The Music and Beat The Clock.
Steve ended his career "working for the Mouse" at Disneyland, behind the scenes of Snow White, Fantasmic! and Aladdin. Steve was also a master chef who loved to cook and share his recipes. He was the Chef Tech on the TV show Melrose Place and the go-to kitchen expert, a lifeline for anyone needing a cooking consult. The inheritor of his grandmother's recipes for cookies, pies and jams, Steve made good use of them, to the benefit of everyone he knew. Steve wouldn't bake just one loaf of bread, he would bake half a dozen and share them with his friends. If you worked on a set with Merry or Steve, you would be the lucky recipient of his baking skills and loving generosity. Pies, cakes, cookies and jams would show up, leaving us all waiting for the next visit.
Steve was a big man who was bigger than life. He left his mark on everyone he met. He left us too soon, but he will never be forgotten. We're all going to miss you pal. Donations can be made to Guide Dogs of the Desert at guidedogsofthedesert.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Steven Donner
December 24, 2014
Steve Donner, a very dear man, was my roommate on Detroit Street in L.A. 35 years ago when we both worked at the L.A. Stage Alliance. He cooked, baked, babysat my son, and decorated the house for the most awesome Halloween party. You will be missed. My sympathy to his family.
Love, Sharon Toriello
TJ Bunker
December 20, 2014
I've started this entry 6 times now. No words seem adequate. You made me love coming to work, show after show, season after season. You taught me so much and I am eternally grateful our paths crossed. I am blessed beyond measure for knowing you. Love & miss ya Donner. Merry, your child bride, will be in my prayers during this incredibly hard time.
We will meet again old friend...
Michelle Bernheim
December 12, 2014
Working with Steve was a joy and he was a great inspiration to me. He was such a dear sweet soul. I only wish we had remained in touch more.
Kathi Gillmore
December 11, 2014
I did several shows with Steve and always appreciated his professionalism but even more, his humor. Rest in peace, you will be missed.
Jeanine Robinson
December 11, 2014
I met Steve years ago when I was in Ragtime with CLO South Bay. From day one he was kind and welcoming. He even helped me when a cast mate was being less than kind. Years later I was privileged to have him as a stage Manager in Aladdin. I am grateful and Blessed to have known this great man and I'm stunned and saddened by his passing. Blessing to his entire family.
Robert Schroeder
December 11, 2014
I worked with Steve at La Mirada PAC for many years. A wonderful man. Sympathys to Merry. RIP.
Steve gave me an autographed copy of his book.
Rolo Garcia
December 10, 2014
Rolo Garcia
December 10, 2014
I hadn't seen or heard from Steve in a very long time. I will always have fond memories of working with him at La Mirada. Thanks for the great food and the laughs. Rest in peace my friend.
Angela Simpson
December 2, 2014
I too am a Swap member and will miss Steve terribly. He was a friend and mentor and so very generous. I traded canned Alaskan salmon for some of his wonderful jams. We all hug you from afar Merry, his "Child Bride" as we knew you. gone but never forgotten.
Melissa Degenhart
December 1, 2014
There are things I'll never cook without thinking of you. I'll so miss your humor & wisdom & great advice & recipes on the recipe swap. Just thought I'd make it to California and get to meet you & Child Bride someday. Melissa Dallas
Janet Paquette
December 1, 2014
So sorry to see you go, Steve. Just the other day I was looking through The Donner Party Cookbook and laughing. You were the one who taught me the correct pronunciation of "risotto" and I'll never forget our informal cooking competitions during the 10 out of 12's at CLOSBC. Good times. Tonight, Joe and I will raise a glass or two (or three?) in your honor. Hope they have decent knives up there and gas stoves, of course. Eat well, my friend.
And big hugs to you, Miss Merry.
December 1, 2014
There will never be another you, dear Steve. We love you and will miss you so much. You were the Big Guy in our lives and we don't see how to get along without you.
Merry, we are so sorry.
Debra Rosenberg
December 1, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you from afar. From Deb-in-MI (recipe swap)
Marilyn Fausti
December 1, 2014
I never met Steve in person, but was blessed to "know" him for years on our cooking site. He gifted me jars of his fabulous fig jam and I destroyed a few of his brain cells with my Dyslexic chocolate sauce.
The man made me laugh on a daily basis. What a gift you were given, Merry, to laugh and smile with him for so long--you, his Child Bride--as we all came to know you from his heart-felt comments.
Wishing you peace in your loving memories.
Michael Sherman
December 1, 2014
Steve2 in LA
I will miss your humor (warped like mine) and your generosity with sharing your most excellent recipes.
--Michael in Naples (Sarasota, Tampa, Philly)
Marc schermerhorn
December 1, 2014
Steve, I already miss our phone calls and far-too-infrequent gettogethers. You and Merry share the deep and inspiring love the rest of us hope to achieve in our lifetimes. We love you both, and you will be deeply missed by more people than you probably ever realized.
-Marc and David
Merry Donner
November 30, 2014
I will miss you forever
Steve with niece Haley
Merry Donner
November 30, 2014
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