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Donna Darrow Obituary
1949-2018
Born on January 9th, 1949, Donna passed away on January 19th, 2018 at Cottage Hospital. Donna was born in Santa Barbara, Ca., the daughter of Stan and Nelda Darrow. Her mother was a homemaker and her father worked in the insurance industry.
Growing up Donna enjoyed sailing with her dad and the family camping trips to El Capitan every summer. After graduation from San Marcos High School, Donna went directly to UCSB, she graduated in 1971. Upon graduation Donna went to work for American Airlines as a flight attendant based out of New York. Several years later, she moved to Chicago and continued to grow her career with American Airlines, retiring in 2004 as the manager of Premium Customer Services. Donna influenced a great many people throughout her career. In addition to her business acumen, she will be remembered for her generosity, her great sense of humor and genuine kindness she showed everyone she encountered. Donna met her future husband, Sidney Kaplan, while working in Chicago.
Donna and Sid were married in 1989. After Donna and Sid's retirement, they moved to Carpinteria, Ca. In her retirement Donna enjoyed traveling to all parts of the world with her husband and took up horseback riding which she continued to do until several years ago. Donna had a great love for all animals, especially golden retrievers.
While they had no children together, Donna has two stepchildren, Gary Kaplan (deceased) and Michael Kaplan (Cindy Kaplan), who lives in the Chicago area. Donna is also survived by her bother, Stan Darrow (Kathy Darrow) and her niece, Chelsey Darrow (Andrew Twardowski).
A grave side service will be held on Wednesday, January 31st at 12:30pm at Santa Barbara Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at Santa Barbara Yacht Club immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Canine Companions for Independence. www.cci.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donna Darrow
Julie Heitz
August 5, 2024
Dear Donna,
You will always be in our hearts
You are missed by many
Julie
Agnes Schmiecher
January 23, 2022
Think of you often. Such a good boss and admired by all .
Patti Walters
February 7, 2018
My most sincere sympathies for your loss. Donna was a warm and caring person I feel honored to have known.
Agnes Schmiecher
February 3, 2018
In Memory of a Shining Star, Donna .
Agnes Schmiecher
February 3, 2018
Sid. So sorry to learn of Donnas passing . She was a lovely person and great boss for all of us at The Admirals Club in Chicago. She pitched in on bad weather days and we all admired her for doing so!! She was a classy lady and admired by many, but you were the lucky one Sid , who stole her heart. I feel honored to have known her .
Judy Brown
February 2, 2018
My deepest condolences on the loss of Donna.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Olga Padilla
February 2, 2018
So sorry for your loss. I am thinking of you in these difficult times.
Jeff
January 31, 2018
My Sincere condolences in the list of Donna. May your hearts be comforted and strengthened by God's love and comfort. 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17.
Leslie,Rory,Trent Zaks
January 31, 2018
Our condolences to Sid and the Darrow family. Donna lit up our world with a countenance of charm and class. To those of us who have been blessed knowing Donna, we can hear her vibrant laughter which accompanied a joyful zest she exuded daily. In a world moving at megabit speed, Donna stood apart in remembering very special things and personal details that mattered to friends and families. Her care, her personal touch, and her genuineness will remain a model and beacon for humankind. In missing Donna, we enshrine her regalness while envisioning an eternal flame of love, sophistication, and special sincerity.
We love you Donna. Beautiful in every way.
The Zaks family
Rene & Zita Arias
January 31, 2018
Our deepest sympathy. Rene & Zita
Kaplan Family
January 31, 2018
A gentle soul that touched everyone for the better.
Rachel Labellarte
January 31, 2018
I was truly Blessed to have known you.
When I think of you my Heart smiles.
Your such a kind,graceful,elegant
beautiful person.
Thank you for all the memories in the
Chicago Admirals Club, you will truly be missed.
RIP...Xo Xo
Lorena Pesek
January 31, 2018
Sid, My deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Donna was a wonderful boss at the Admirals Club for many years. She was a great leader and a dear friend in very many ways and will be greatly missed.
Sandra Allen
January 31, 2018
Too soon you are gone, Donna. May you live on in the memory of your family and many friends. May those memories console those who grieve.
Rita Moon Kain
January 31, 2018
Sid, my deepest sympathy to you and family. Donna will always be remembered as a remarkable person. I had the pleasure of working for Donna in the Admirals Club. She truly will be missed
Noreen Calabrese
January 30, 2018
My sincerest condolence Sid. Donna had such a positive impact and I am honored to have known her . She will be missed by all of us who knew & loved her.
Alex
January 30, 2018
My sincerest condolences for the loss of Donna. May all your memories of her bring you comfort during these times. And may God continue to refresh your family.
Matthew 11:29
Vito LaSusa
January 30, 2018
On earth you brought together many great friends in the Chicago Admirals Club. We will always remember your kindness.
Maureen Joza
January 29, 2018
Donna touched so many lives, and none more than mine. I'll forever cherish so many wonderful memories of our time together. You leave us all better for having known you. Rest in peace, my friend. You have a piece of my heart forever.
Maureen
Julie Heitz
January 29, 2018
Dear Donna
Your kindness, grace , warmth, love, charm and that Fun Donna
will truly be missed.
You will be in our Hearts forever..❤
Much Love,
Julie ( Stark) Heitz
American Airlines Admirals Club Retiree
Janet Fanucchi
January 29, 2018
soar with the angels Donna. you will be missed.
January 28, 2018
Donna had that special zest that I remember with a fond memory!
Esther (Olivas) Contreras
January 28, 2018
RIP Donna thank you so much for the memories you blessed me with throughout our junior and high school years. You will be missed.
Steven Siry
January 28, 2018
Donna was always such a good friend to me. I will miss her dearly.
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