Donna Gorski Obituary
As a young adult, Donna lived in suburban Chicago and later moved to various cities in California, beginning in San Jose, La Costa, Saratoga, Santa Barbara, and eventually back to Saratoga.
Donna met the love of her life and soulmate, Bob, through a business associate in October, 1977. Bob and Donna never hesitated to act on their instincts and married on May 20, 1978, in Elmhurst, Illinois. They resided in Wood Dale, Illinois after marriage. Bob and Donna were happily married for 42 years. They were cat loving people who adopted and cared for them throughout their lives. Robin, Crystal, Peter, Tommy, and Jackson were the loves of their lives. Donna adopted Fu after Bob passed away, and they had a strong bond.
Donna had a long and accomplished career with AT&T as a sales consultant and lived a very blessed life. After early retirement, she spent her time jet setting the world with Bob traveling to Italy, Singapore, Mexico, Hawaii, Cayman Islands, and local trips to Monterey. She owned a convertible BMW Z3 (Ms. Z) she loved driving around town with the top down enjoying the beautiful California weather.
Donna was a wonderful friend. She was thoughtful, an excellent listener you could share your troubles with, gave solid advice, and had the memory of an elephant. In addition, she was a cooking aficionado known for meticulously preparing meals for her loved ones. She spent holidays elaborately decorating her home, hosting dinner parties, and cooking. Everything Donna did in life reflected her careful and sharp attention to detail. Donna had a green thumb and always had beautiful flowers and plants and dedicated her life to creating a wonderful home for her husband and cats. She had an affinity for wine, martinis, and Canadian Club and was an excellent bartender known for her signature martinis.
Donna was preceded in death by her mother, Geraldine Leelsey, and her father, Donald Leesley. Donna is survived by her cat Fu, her housekeepers, and many friends and business associates.
In the spirit of Donna's wishes, private services were held.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Lisa Roberts
August 15, 2023
Donna,
The holidays are here. I see the Halloween and Christmas decorations in the stores and will forever be reminded of your festive holiday spirit, your warm decorations at your house, cooking, and your kind ways to connect like a cute holiday card in the mail.
It is true holidays that used to be cheerful for some become sad after you lose a loved one. There is a huge emptiness in many of your friends lives now you´re gone. You taught me tough lessons, like appreciate your loved ones in your life, as you don´t know when you may never see them again. Try your best to really be in the moment and soak up that time together. Your passing was a reminder there may be no next time. You gave me such wonderful life advice, I´ll cherish forever. Not a day goes by where I don´t think about you at least several times a day. My heart hurts. You were not just a friend but part of my family and I miss you dearly. I feel grateful to have had you in my life as long I did. You are very loved and missed. You lived life on your terms and admired you for you being you. You have no idea how many lives you touched and what a void there is with you gone. Someday we will see other again this much I know. Until then....I know you´re watching over me Love you XOXO Lisa
Linda Twiehaus
April 19, 2023
My dear friend Donna - our friendship goes back 55 years! Our special college days at S.I.U in Carbondale and the many visits while you were still in Chicago are such fun memories. Your wonderful sense of humor was intoxicating!
When I finally met Bob in 2015 , he was amazed that we had maintained our friendship without seeing each other for over 35 years. You had that ability to just pick up and continue our laughing together.
There is a ache in my heart with missing you but a smile on my face when I think of you and Bob continuing your journey together.
Love you my dear,
Linda Twiehaus
Robert Michaelis
April 17, 2023
Donna was a dear friend who alway brought goodness to the world.
Teresa DeFino Michaelis
April 17, 2023
Today would have been Donna's 74th birthday. We normally would go to the beach for lunch at Zelda's in Capitola to celebrate. wishing she was here today for a nice drive in her BMW convertible like my picture on Donna below. Donna loved the beach.
I miss Donna very much. It was a quick & painful good bye.
Donna's friendship taught me many wonderful things so I'm reminded of her often day to day.
It's the small things I treasure like shinning leaves on my plants, using recipes she printed out for me, making a Negroni, staring at waves or oak trees, listening to music from the late 70's & Barbara Streisand, laughing at her tricks to run a tidy home & many many more. Donna was a great listener & always made me feel loved. I loved how Donna could engage anyone in a great conversation & had an incredible talent for telling captivating stories. I miss hearing her voice & her love. I treasure our lifelong Peach Hill memories & laughing with you.
Rest in Peace with your beloved Bob, Donna.
Love, Teresa
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