Donna M. Christensen

Donna M. Christensen

Donna Marie Christensen, 83, beloved wife and mother, passed away on April 22, 2025, after prolonged illness surrounded by family in

Albuquerque.

Donna was born on September 7, 1941 to George J. Christensen and Anita Tohtsoni, in Rehoboth, NM. She grew up in Church Rock and graduated from Gallup High School in 1959, after which she worked as a medical secretary while managing a family. She continued to explore educational and career opportunities, attaining a graduate degree in education from UNM, enabling her to teach English at Gallup High School. While at GHS she also supported students through development of the American Indian Club. After relocating to Santa Fe, in 1976, she counseled students at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her desire to further support the American Indian Community compelled her to enter law school at UNM where she earned a Juris Doctorate in 1981, with a focus on water/land rights.

From 1983-1987 she was the Director for the Navajo Public Defender Office, worked under the Attorney General, and was ultimately appointed Attorney General of the Navajo Nation from 1991-1992. She retired from the Office of Chief Counsel with the U.S. Department of Energy where she was also manager of the Native American Employees Program. Additionally she served on the Boards of the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Navajo Education, and served as Emeritus Member of First Nations Community HealthSource Board of Directors. Other achievements include: mentor in Albuquerque Public Schools Focus Program and volunteer facilitator for the Juvenile Probation Family Circle in Gallup.

Donna was warm, engaging, and intellectually curious, making each person who met her feel special. Her surviving family include her loving husband of 35 years, Mark L. Money, her children, Mark Parra, Melissa Parra and her husband Michael Schiffer, and Michelle Parra and her husband Sean Hearn, and her stepson Mark J. Money; her grandchildren, Tesla Hendrickx and her husband Ted Hendrickx, Owen Hearn, Maura Hearn, Mitchell Hearn, Cas Money and his wife Shannyn Spiess, and her great-grandson Henry Hendrickx. She is also survived by her sister, Mattie Christensen, and her husband Richard Showalter, as well as numerous cousins and relatives from the Navajo Reservation.

A memorial will be held in Gallup, on July 26th, 2025 from noon to 3:30pm at St. Francis Parish Hall, 212 W. Wilson Ave. In lieu of flowers please make donations to First Nations Community HealthSource at fnch.org.