Donna Mae Taber

1938 - 2018

Donna Mae Taber passed away peacefully at Sutter Auburn Faith hospital on the morning of February 2, 2018. She was 79.
Donna was born in Quapaw, Oklahoma on September 12, 1938 to Charley Benton and Treasie Fay Lewis. In the 1940's, the Lewis' moved to Redding, California. Donna spent her childhood and teen years in Redding, graduating from Shasta High School in 1956. Go Wolves! In her youth, Donna was very close to her mother and younger brother Howard, as well as her Aunt Reasie and cousin Jean.
Shortly after graduating high school, Donna married Jerry Campaigne, a U.S. Air Force Pilot. She lived the life of an Air Force Officer's wife, ultimately landing in Japan where Donna gave birth to their son David in 1959. She loved her time in Japan and spoke reverently of what she learned there. Tragically, Jerry was lost in combat while fighting over Vietnam in April of 1963. Donna returned to Redding to be with family and raise her son.
In October of 1965, Donna met Douglas Ewell Taber. After a whirlwind romance, the pair were married on February 4, 1966. Living together in Redding, Donna, Doug and David enjoyed starting a new home. In 1967, Donna gave birth to her second son, Kevin. In 1970, her third son Nicholas was born. She loved all four of her boys very much.
The family of five spent many happy years living in various parts of California, eventually settling in Auburn in 1978, where Doug and Donna built a supportive and loving environment for their sons. In their later years, Doug and Donna spent a lovely seven years living in Sequim, Washington where they made many friends and enjoyed the landscape. They resettled in Auburn in 2011 to be near family and friends.
Donna is survived by Douglas, Kevin (Becky), and Nick, as well as nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son David, her brother Howard, and her mother Treasie.
Donna will be remembered for her stoic strength in the face of adversity, her sense of humor, keen memory, and her nurturing spirit. She loved her garden and houseplants and knew how to keep them green. She had a gift for making people feel important and appreciated. She was extremely proud of her sons. She also loved decorating, collecting Shawnee Pottery, moving furniture(!), and keeping Doug on his toes. She will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church in Auburn at 11 am, Saturday, February 10, 2018.