Donna H. Moore

1951 - 2025

Donna H. Moore
10/13/1951 - 02/11/2025
Donna H. Moore passed away on February 11, 2025, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer-a rare loss for someone who faced life with such resilience and strength.
Donna was born on October 13, 1951, in San Antonio, Texas, to Ruth Rankin Helmke and William S. Helmke. In 1955, Donna's family relocated to Houston, Texas, and the following year they settled in Bellaire. She attended Holy Ghost Elementary School and Marian High School. Donna then pursued a degree in fashion merchandising at the University of Houston, graduating in 1974. While in school, she worked at Craig's department store in Rice Village, where her impeccable sense of style began to shine-a quality that remained evident in her wardrobe and the beautifully curated spaces she created for friends, family and business associates.
In February 1976, Donna joined the Houston headquarters of the law firm Bracewell & Patterson as a receptionist. Her exceptional organizational and leadership skills quickly earned her promotions in employee benefits and office facility management. As the firm expanded from three offices to ten, with over 450 attorneys and an equally large administrative team, Donna played a pivotal role in overseeing office construction, remodeling, and relocations, both domestically and internationally. Her integrity, management acumen, and commitment to the firm's success earned her respect and admiration from colleagues, many of whom became lifelong friends. Affectionately known as "Manlove," Donna retired from Bracewell LLP in April 2012 as Director of Operations.
Donna's professional excellence was mirrored in her personal life. She was fiercely loyal, loving, and had a sharp sense of humor. Her judgment was sound, her resolve unwavering, and her love for family and friends undeniable. To her siblings, who fondly called her "Layn," she was a cherished beachgoer and an animal lover with a particular affection for dogs and horses. Her playful and loving spirit was perhaps most evident in the affectionate nicknames she had for her husband, ranging from "Mister" to a shrill but endearing "MOORE," always spoken with deep love and devotion.
Her stepchildren and grandchildren-in-law will always remember the warmth and joy she brought to family gatherings at her home in Rockport, Texas. Her legendary cooking-especially her grits, "Donna's Potatoes," chess pie, and famous dip known as "the bomb"-will be sorely missed. They will fondly recall her enthusiasm for their fishing catches, the secret toy gifts she kept hidden, and the playful moments when they teased her by loudly fitting pieces into her ever-present jigsaw puzzles.
Among friends, Donna was known for her wit. She often listened quietly before delivering a hilarious and insightful comment that summed up the conversation perfectly. Her friends admired her impeccable sense of style, culinary talents, and gracious hostessing. Her "tough love" approach as a friend was balanced by an unwavering devotion to those she loved-including the many Brittany Spaniels who thrived under her care over the years.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth Ellen Rankin Helmke and William S. Helmke, and her eldest brother, Ronald James Helmke of Rockport, Texas. She is survived by her devoted husband, Thomas O. Moore III of Houston, TX; her sister Kim Helmke Neal and husband Cary G. Neal of Denham Springs, LA; her brother Lee Patrick Helmke and wife Amy K. Helmke of Ratliff City, OK; her sister Mary Helmke Cocca of Sargent, Texas; and her brother Thomas R. Helmke and wife Rhonda G. Helmke of Sargent, Texas. Donna is also survived by her stepdaughters, Carol Bailey Moore Stevens of Tucson, AZ, and her children Zaida E. Stevens and Raphael B. Moore Stevens, and Ashley Moore Ronen of Oakland, CA, and her children Hailey A. Ronen and Samantha M. Ronen. Her extended family includes a beloved fanbase of nieces and nephews: Jennifer Neal Kirby, Christine Helmke Stevens, Derek Helmke, Lauren Helmke Stobbe, David Helmke, Blake Cocca, Kelly Cocca, William Cocca, Joey Baker, Eric Helmke, Colt Helmke, and Sara Ruth Helmke.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to MD Anderson and Houston Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion during Donna's final weeks.
Friends are invited to join the family to share memories and celebrate Donna's life from five o'clock in the afternoon until seven o'clock in the evening on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Bradshaw-Carter Funeral Home, 1734 West Alabama Street in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions in Donna's name be made to Brittany Rescue in Texas, www.brittanyrescueintexas.org, or a charity of your choice.