Donna Jean Main

1944 - 2024

Donna Jean Main
August 7, 1944 - May 8, 2024
Donna Main had a loving heart and laughed often…hers was a life well lived. She was a college instructor, carpenter, administrative assistant, and found object artist. She gave her best, saying "I want to do this right." Donna Main was able to die at home with partner, Andrea Learned, and friends Eve Lance, Martha Gonzalez and Tony Ross by her side.
Raised in Los Angeles, Donna graduated from the Westlake School for Girls where she carpooled with Candice Bergen, danced with Fred Astaire, partied at the Kirkeby Mansion, ran into Lloyd Bridges and learned gift giving from Ann Rutherford. For a girl from Compton this was really something!
Donna was one of the first students to attend California Lutheran College. Her Botany professor, Dr. Barbara Collins, made sure that Donna went to Smith College to obtain her master's degree in Botany. While at Cal Lutheran she fell head over heels and married David Ek. They helped found Mendocino Friends (Quaker) Meeting.
Donna, on a bet, became the only woman on a construction crew building homes in Ukiah. She moved to Albion and with her own hands built April Cottage which became a popular lesbian bed and breakfast. She earned a movie credit helping Barbara Hammer make the experimental film "The Great Goddess".
Donna taught Botany at Holyoke Community College and Eastern Oregon University. While living in Ukiah, Donna helped to establish Mendocino Community College and served on the first board of trustees. After obtaining an additional master's, Donna taught Reading and Study Skills at Pima Community College and the University of Arizona. Donna was known for the quality of her instruction and her commitment to her students. During her Tucson years she became involved with Immigrant Rights through the Pima Friends Meeting.
In 1988, Donna moved to Ukiah and worked at the Area Agency on Aging for Lake and Mendocino Counties. She fell in love with Andrea Learned and they moved to Healdsburg. Donna worked at Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging before taking a job at Santa Rosa Junior College. Donna used her carpentry, engineering, and improvisational skills to make sculptures from found objects. Her work can be found on display at Corricks.
Donna and Andrea loved each other. Donna's colorful, clever, and funny social commentary made everyone laugh. Together they hosted many gatherings. They spent their weekends looking after AIDS and hospital patients, hiking in wilderness and dumpster diving. In 2003 they found their home in Oakmont.
Donna was born on August 7, 1944 in Los Angeles, CA to Lu Jean (Sunny) Cook Main and Jack Howard Main, Jr. She is survived by her loving partner of 36 years, Andrea Learned, stepsister Gayle Johnson Gattuso, stepbrother Keith Johnson, cousins Mary Hough Forney, James Hough, Andrew Hough and Bonnie Foley and loving friends. We owe an extraordinary gift of gratitude to Amelia (Millie) Kirby and Martha Gonzalez.
A celebration of life will be held on August 10, 2024 at the Wild Oak Saddle Club, 550 White Oak Drive, Santa Rosa. Remembrance at 2 PM sharp, Social at 2:45. Donna believed we all need to be part of building an inclusive peaceful democracy. Please consider a memorial gift to Friends Committee on National Legislation, 245 Second St NE, Washington, DC 20002-5761.