Donya LeeAnn George

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Merced High School

Donya George Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Donya LeeAnn George
Start: 2023-12-16T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Community Presbyterian Church

Donya entered Heaven's gates November 20, 2023, after a valiant battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband; Mike, her three beautiful children; Jack, Sam, and Jamie. She is also survived by her mother; Sandra Muncrief and her sisters; Shelley (Shane) Davis, Chris (Peter) Adamakis, and Sheri (Greg) Hoell. She is beloved by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Donya was preceded in death by her father, Don Caplan, and her mother-in-law Marge George and father-in-law Robert George. Donya was raised in Merced, CA where she attended school and graduated from Merced High School in 1980. She lived in several places throughout the Central Valley and in 1987, moved to Hawaii for a few years. Donya and Mike were married for 30 years and made their lovely home in Danville, CA where they raised their children and were very involved in the community. They loved watching their kids play sports throughout their childhood. They were especially involved in and loved the soccer community, where their daughter Jamie thrived. Their children were the joy of her life, and she always beamed with love when she spoke of them. In the last few years, she began working at the Blackhawk Tennis Club, which she loved. She met many new friends as it was a perfect fit for her warm and welcoming personality. Donya had a passion for music and travel, and often combined them by attending many concerts and music festivals. Hawaii was Donya's happy place and she traveled there as often as she could with family and friends. Donya's contagious smile and magnetic personality is what drew people to her. She had an incredible group of friends, too many to mention (you know she loved you all). She made an impact on everyone she met and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her family would like to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of love and support during her illness. The countless meals, phone calls, flowers, and prayers will always be remembered and appreciated. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, December 16th at 11 am at Community Presbyterian Church, 222 West El Pintado Road, Danville, CA. In lieu of flowers, we would instead invite you to donate, in Donya's name, to Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) https://ocrahope.org/

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Published by East Bay Times from Dec. 3 to Dec. 13, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Donya George

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14 Entries

Don Lopez

December 14, 2024

Thinking of you today. Cheryl and I always thought of you as another daughter. Lots of memories and stories. Rest in peace and give Cheryl a hug for me. Love always...

Kim Hefner-Dority

November 28, 2024

Still miss you my sweet friend! I can't believe your gone. Until we meet again.

Sheri Hoell

November 27, 2024

It´s been just over a year since we lost you. You are missed every day. I´m so fortunate to have had you as my big sister. 53 years just wasn´t long enough. Love you Donya, I´ll see you in heaven.

Jamie George

March 12, 2024

It's been a couple of months since Donya passed away, and tonight I found myself searching for memories of her. The shared memories on this page filled me with joy and inspired me to contribute some of my own. Donya and I had truly one of the most amazing relationships ever. We were bonded in ways that are unexplainable. Donya was more than my best friend. She was my role model. Many my friends say I had an obsession with her and for many good reasons. It's still difficult to grasp that she's truly gone. People ask me every day how I am, and my answer remains the same: "I'm good." How could I not be, when Donya George was my mother? Though I only had 21 years with her-a span some might consider short-I don't see it that way. To me, those 21 years were filled with her light, life, and wisdom, which have shaped me for a lifetime. She was an extraordinary mother-insightful, always knowing the right thing to say, and instrumental in making me who I am today. She had this warmth when you met her. She made you feel like you were her best friend even if you just met her. People would come up tp me and say "I just love your mom". Despite feeling lost without her, I don't feel distant from her. In fact, I close to her, as if shes with all the time. Each day, I wake up and ponder how Donya would want me to live my life. She lived passionately through music and love. Donya would do my hair before every soccer game, homecoming, and every day I spent with my friends until I left for college. One cherished memory is when she came down to San Diego to attend a music festival she had bought tickets for. She was the life of the party, making friends who eventually escorted her to the front row, assuring me, "We've got your mom covered." We walked home for miles, we talked all the way until we reached her hotel at 3:00 am. Anyone fortunate enough to meet her instantly adored her.
Donya was not only an exceptional mother but also an extraordinary person, brimming with vitality and warmth. Her love knew no bounds, and she poured it into every aspect of her life. Whether she was cheering me on from the sidelines of a soccer game or dancing with abandon at a music festival, her enthusiasm was infectious. She had a remarkable ability to infuse joy into even the simplest moments, turning anything into cherished memories. Donya's laughter was contagious, and her spirit was indomitable. She taught me the importance of embracing life with open arms, of finding beauty in every experience, no matter how small. Her legacy of love, laughter, and boundless energy will forever inspire those who were lucky enough to know her.
She embodied the essence of living life to its fullest-saying yes to parties, events, and every opportunity. She attended concerts alone, went on trips, because she savored every moment. Despite facing unimaginable challenges, she always emerged victorious. She was the absolute light of my life, we would talk a couple times a day and I was always greeted with " JAMIE LEE ANN GEORGE!!". There was no one quite like you Mom. No one will ever be quite like you. Until I see you again Mom, I'll always be your little love.

Brenda Aepli

March 7, 2024

Donya was a warm, loving, beautiful person that was always so supportive of her children and family. She was so helpful to me when her children were in my class. I am deeply saddened by her passing!

May you be strengthened by the love of family and caring friends as you move through each day. May your memories of Donya bring you peace and comfort.

Debbie (McSpadden) Boffey

December 16, 2023

I haven´t seen Donya in over 35 years, but she was one of my very best friends all through high school. When I learned of her passing I felt such grief and so much regret for not having taken the time to contact her. Now it´s too late for an earthly reunion and I grieve that loss. When I think of her, she is laughing. I see her warmth and a beauty that she held so gracefully, she seemed to understand that the inner beauty meant more which made her so approachable and somehow even more beautiful. Her warmth and smile welcomed you into her presence. Because of the particular season when we were close, I got to experience the silly and playful and adventurous Donya. We broke a lot of rules I´m afraid. I loved her and Vicki deeply. We were DDV and I treasure every memory and hold them closely.
A favorite memory was when she had had enough of her darker roots. Although it was natural, it bothered her that it appeared that she colored her hair and it was grow out. So one day we went to Save Mart and we selected some hair color, went back to Vicki´s and tried to dye just the roots of her hair. She wanted it to match the rest. But because we had no idea what we were doing, her roots turned bright orange. Of course, she laughed, and she cried all at the same time in a sheer panic. Vicki and I showed appropriate sympathy and tried to think through how to resolve this catastrophe. But of course, we also laughed, mostly at Donya´s panic. I don´t remember exactly how it was resolved but it was and I´m guessing she never tried that again.
To her family, I´m so very sorry. I pray for Gods comfort as you walk through the loss of such an enormous presence in your life. She was a lovely soul and I for one, was immensely blessed to have shared in a season of my life with her.

Gods comfort

Pascale Senejoux

Planted Trees

Donna Banks Bandoni

December 12, 2023

My deepest condolences to the George and Caplan families. I attended high school with Donya and was so saddened to hear of her passing. She was the sweetest soul. And so beautiful inside and out. She was always so nice and kind to everyone and so fun to be around. Heaven has gained the most beautiful angel!

With love and sympathy,
Donna (Banks) Bandoni

Kim Hefner-Dority

December 12, 2023

I absolutely loved Donya! She was a bright light in the world. I have two memories in particular that stand out. We attended a AC/DC concert at the Cow Palace in San Francisco in High School. We had a great time. I also remember the time we got stuck on a chair lift at Dodge Ridge ski resort in the middle of a blizzard for 30 long minutes. We kept wiping the snow off one another. She was so much fun. She will truly be missed, what a gorgeous human being. My heart is broken for her close loved ones. I am keeping you in my prayers. I am so sorry again. With sorrow, Kim Hefner-Dority