Donarose Jean Breschini

Donarose was born to parents Rosalie Bordges and Edward Breschini in Salinas, California, the "Salad Bowl of the World." In fact, her maternal grandparents were pioneer lettuce farmers. Being an only child, she got lots of attention, but was a reluctant model for her shutterbug mother. Her cousin Roberta was the same age and lived next door, so the two of them grew up together. Plus, Donarose had her beloved cats, starting with Sassy. During the war, her bedroom was rented out to a boarder, so she had a makeshift bed in the breakfast nook. Donarose would later share the heartbreaking experience of her Japanese-American classmate asking for a lock of hair as a remembrance before being sent to an internment camp.

An avid reader from an early age, Donarose continued to devour books for the rest of her life, keeping a stack on her nightstand. Journalism became a primary interest for Donarose early on, becoming editor of her high school newspaper, and a cub reporter for the Salinas Californian. Those closest to Donarose in her adulthood, got the pleasure of having their spelling corrected on many occasions. She eventually became too tired of endlessly explaining how to spell the name Donarose (one 'n' ... no space ... small 'r') so she went by Dona. Whether you knew her as Dona or Donarose, when you became close friends, you were friends for life.

While studying journalism at the University of Southern California, Donarose met Richard Lee, and they became engaged. She later half-joked that she liked his short, easy-to-spell last name. They married, moved to San Mateo, and raised their three sons: Douglas, John, and Terrence. Several years later, after their divorce, Donarose made the courageous decision to move her family to San Francisco. With her hands full, Donarose still managed to continue her education, earning a Master's Degree in Sociology from San Francisco State University. Donarose worked as a dietician, biofeedback technician, and a Head Start teacher. She studied QiGong, TaiChi, Yoga, and Transcendental Meditation. She also enjoyed making jewelry, especially necklaces of Murano glass beads. For many years, she took language courses, and eventually became fluent in Italian. This was especially useful, as she would regularly correspond with her Italian-speaking Swiss cousins.

Eventually, Donarose married Dr. Roger Rompel, and became step-mother to David and John. She and Roger moved to Stockton, where he started a new job as a child psychologist for the county, and Donarose pursued her other passion: travel. Donarose also loved her "walking buddies," as she called them. She became very health-conscious, and practiced good habits for the rest of her life.

Once Roger retired, he and Donarose moved to Monterey, to live the good life. She took great pride in her son John's musical talents. She would love to share how he was the original "piano man" at the Bixby Bridge during the Big Sur Marathon. After Roger's passing, Donarose settled into years of independent living, and eventually assisted living. She was grateful to have her sons Doug and Terrence, and his wife Elsa, in Monterey for the last 15 years of her life.

Donarose's cremains will be interred at Cementerio El Encinal in Monterey.