Donna LeClair Jaffe

February 17, 1949 - July 4, 2025 Oh mom, it's your son here... and Lynn is nearby don't worry. There really aren't any words that could give your beautiful, honest, blazingly effervescent life justice, but we'll try.
You came into this world, a world that could barely contain you... on February 17th 1949, to Robert & Georgina LeClair, in Southfield Michigan. From a young age you were energetic, vivacious and from what I hear... full of piss and vinegar - that tracks. You spent those early years running around the sand dunes and shorelines of Lake Michigan, as well as jaunts around Boblo Island with Lynn and many fun loving cousins. Those excursions seeded a zest for exploration and inspired you to move out west and start your great adventure in Los Angeles at 21. If I knew you then, we would have been good friends. I'm sure of it. LA suited you well - the glam & glitz shined, and you shined right back. The fun, free, bold 70's became a part of your fabric.. and then the 80's filled your party cup... where you were the straw that stirred the drink, truly. Somewhere in there you met Ira (hi dad), and settled down, mostly. You became Donna Jaffe and had your baby boy, me - our journey began there. Being your son is and has been a beautiful sidewinding journey, with love and adventure at its core. You and dad split which made us into a dynamic duo (or trio with Maria)... you were strong for us and always did what was required to keep us moving forward, happily. I didn't tell you this enough - you were a good person, a selfless person with a big heart. You taught me how to treat people, strangers - do good when no one is looking, it was how you lived.
You took life notes from your Auntie Betty, who would visit each year on your birthday, and who left a lasting loving imprint on your heart. Then there was Sophie, your sweet pup. I know you're together again going on walks and being cute as can be - hi Sophie girl, I miss you too. Your dear sister Lynn is also here blowing kisses... after decades of daily phone calls between you two... somehow there still feels like more to say... she loves you now and always. You also had your passions - fashion, jewelry, beautiful nails (which you always had, and was your trade), and lastly your Karmann Ghia... which was stolen - a mystery you can perhaps now solve and retrieve what was rightfully yours!
You'll be missed by more than you know - of course me and Lynn... Kelly, Norah (she says hi Mimi, I like your nails), Big Bob, Bobby, Maddie, Harper, Charlie, Matt, Sawyer, George, Nancy, extended family, friends, and countless strangers whose lives you touched. In your last days, a rabbi came by to share some wisdom you quite liked... 'as long as someone is remembered, they are never truly gone'. I can promise you, you won't be forgotten anytime soon. We love you, I love you - now wherever you are, and whoever you're with... go give 'em hell.
Memorial contributions may be made to your fellow stranger - be kind to one another.