DONNA JEAN LEAT

Donna was called home to be with her Lord our Savior Christ Jesus on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at age 75. She was born on March 3, 1937, in Fresno to Lawrence and Dorothea Bowen. Donna lived her entire life in Fresno with the last 50 years in her "Home Sweet Home". Donna was found by her daughter asleep in her bed just 60 minutes after laying down to watch her favorite TV show, Jeopardy. The shock was devastating but Donna always wanted to pass away at home so this was a great blessing, as was the lack of pain and suffering. Donna was devoted to her family. Raising her children was her priority in life. Donna was always "Mom" and her life defined the word. Being a Troop Leader for her daughters' Brownies and Girl Scouts was an example of this. She was PTA President, Santa Claus at elementary school (when no one else would volunteer), the "Fortune Telling Lady" at the school carnival and always a "room mother". Her daughters' friends could often be found at her kitchen table discussing their lives; often during school hours when Donna would offer an excuse to the school attendance office. The childhood friends of her son and daughters continued to drop-by and visit for the rest of her life. She attended Roosevelt High School, Fresno City College and California State University, Fresno. She retired from Fresno County Department of Social Services after 16 years of service. During her retirement party many stories were told of her dedicated service to her clients including the time she worked around the clock to relocate several of her clients families when their apartment homes burned down. Pismo Beach was Donna's favorite place. Playing pinnacle with her girlfriends was a favorite activity. Perhaps her favorite movie and song was Singing In the Rain. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; ex-husband, Ralph Leat; and Saffy. She is survived by daughters, Ellen Gunn and her husband David, and Denise Brewster and her husband Willie; son, Greg Leat; granddaughter, Rachel Brewster; grandsons, Adam and his wife Erica, Atticus and Asher Leat, Matthew and his wife Jasmine, and Mason Brewster; special grandson, Anthony Ingram; and five great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Donna's Life will be held at her home on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Mom's friends are invited to attend and share their memories.