Dona Sparkman

Dona (Dutra) Sparkman Dec 7, 1934 - Dec 26, 2010 A celebration honoring the life of Dona Sparkman, 76, of Marysville, will be held Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at 10:00am at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Marysville, California. She passed from this life on Sunday, December 26th as a result of complications from pneumonia. Her amazingly large yet close-knit family was often at her side during her final hours. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, William Sparkman; a sister Christy Vines (Ron); a son, Rodney Smith (Marianne); daughters: Kelly Chapple (Bob), Kim Nease (Lin), and Karen Argyrakis (Straty); stepsons: Bill Sparkman (Yo), Richard Sparkman (Kerri); stepdaughters: Pam Downing (Brian) and Becky Sparkman; grandchildren: Brian Goss (Kristy), Chris Goss (Amanda), Angela Bankhead (Tim), Alexis Smith, Alicia Hecht, Jim Hecht, Carrie Chapple, Stacy Nease, Jamie Nease, Brad Nease, and Peyton Sparkman; great grandchildren Rachel Bankhead, Terry Bankhead, Owen Sparks, Bryan Sparks, Chase Goss, Morgun Goss, Claira Goss, and Marina Bankhead. She is preceded in death by her sister, Boots Dutra; mother, Velma Walsh Gray; stepfather, Mick Gray; father, Donald Dutra; and stepmother, Norma Dutra. Dona was born December 7th, 1934 in Marysville and stayed active all her 76 years. Forty-four of those years were spent in outstanding service to Caltrans. She embraced life to the fullest and touched so many as a lifelong member of St. Joseph's Church, as a member of the Catholic Daughter's of America and the Quarter Century Club, as Treasurer of the Hallwood Women's Club, and, of course, as an avid Kings fan. Her house was open to all and her family grew accordingly over the years. With her mission in life to ensure all were well-fed, it was customary for new faces to show up and be welcomed into her extended family. She will be remembered for her generous spirit and easy smile. Visitation will be from 2-6pm Wednesday December 29th at Lipp & Sullivan funeral home, followed by a Rosary at 7pm at the St. Joseph Church. Father Godwin Xavier will officiate the 10am ceremony on Thursday, followed by graveside service at Sierra View Cemetery. Reception to follow at the St. Joseph Hall adjacent to the church. Donations can be made in her name to the American Lung Association, Alzheimer's Disease Fund, or the Jimmy V Fund for cancer research. Mom, we will forever love and miss you. Thank you for always being there for us and for being the strength in our family and our lives. You are the most extraordinary person we've ever known. Send Condolences at www.appealdemocrat.com