Donna Lynn Joe

1947 - 2023

Donna Lynn Yip Joe
August 10, 1947 - May 21, 2023
Fresno, California - After a long battle with illness, Donna Lynn Joe peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on May 21, 2023.
Donna was born and grew up in a small province in China. After completing grade school in Hong Kong, her family came to the United States and settled in Metairie, Louisiana where Donna attended middle school and high school. She met her husband Harry while both were attending undergraduate schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. After completing college Donna and Harry married and were blessed with three children. After Harry completed medical school and residency the family eventually settled in Fresno, California, where Harry has been a physician for the past 40 years.
While raising three children Donna discovered her passion for volunteering. Her vibrant personality and affinity for meeting people drew her to numerous organizations. She was a volunteer for St. Agnes Medical Center, twice co-president for Fresno-Madera Medical Alliance, a member of L.A.R.C., art curator for the Fresno Philharmonic, volunteer for Fresno Town Hall, member of Carmel Woman's Club, volunteer for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and volunteer for the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Show. Additionally, she was a valued member of Fresno Cactus and Succulent Society as well as the Fresno Turtle and Tortoise Association.
Donna loved gardening and her backyard of fruit trees, vegetables, rose bushes and a green house of succulents were the result of her talented green thumb. She was equally skilled in the kitchen where she excelled in Chinese cuisine but could also effortlessly prepare a rack of lamb or roast a Thanksgiving turkey complete with homemade Southern stuffing, a family recipe handed down by her father-in-law.
Above all else, Donna cherished her family. Not a day passed that she was not in communication with her loved ones. She is survived by her beloved husband, Harry, her daughters Claudia Salter, and Karen Joe, her son Brian Joe, her grandsons Jacob Salter, Samuel Salter, Gavin Salter and Miles Buresh, her granddaughter Mila Joe, her sister Valerie Tang and her brother Henry Yip.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, as Donna held a deep commitment to supporting cancer research and finding a cure.