Donna Kirkendall Tanner

Donna Patricia (Kirkendall) Tanner was born on November 6th, 1952 in Bethesda, Maryland to LT Cmdr. (USN) Melvin Samuel Kirkendall & Dorothy Yvonne (Mileur) Kirkendall. She was born the middle child of 3 girls. After her father's retirement, the family perminately resided in Chula Vista, California where shortly after, her father passed away in 1965. Donna attended Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, CA where she graduated with the class of 1971. She furthered her education at San Diego State University recieving her Bachelors in Family Studies & Consumer Sciences in 1975. Her professional carrer in the years following focused in the fields of Title & Real Estate. Donna met the love of her life, Thomas Wayne Tanner on a blind date in June 1985. They Married a year later on July 5th, 1986 in San Diego. On April 22nd, 1987 they welcomed their daughter, Jennifer Michelle Tanner. Two years later, their son, Michael Thomas Tanner was born on March 23rd, 1989. Donna & Tom raised their children in Encinitas, California. Donna was a fun-loving woman and brought laughter & happiness to everyone's life. She always put her needs last as she cared for & nutured her husband and family. Many remember her for keeping a house & home welcome to all, along with always being neatly organized! Some of her greatest joys were going on cruises, and her marathon gambling nights at the casinos in Vegas. Before her passing, Donna had the honor of becoming a grandmother on September 3rd, 2011 to Brylie Renae Tanner. Her legacy will continue on, with her second grandchild, Madisyn Grace Ciani, due in December 2011. After her painful eight month long battle with stage 4 small cell lung cancer, Donna peacefully passed in her home surrounded by her family at 11:58pm on Saturday, September 17th, 2011. Donna is survived by her Husband of 25 years (Tom Tanner), her Daughter (Jennifer Tanner-Ciani), Son (Michael Tanner), Son-in-law (Derrick Ciani), Daughter-in-law (Avalon Smith-Tanner), Granddaughter (Brylie Tanner), Sister (Kay Kirkendall-Lippincott), & Sister (Mary Kirkendall-Livesay) FOR ALL THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME & PAY THEIR RESPECTS: THURSDAY, September 22nd, 2011: Open Casket Viewing: 5pm-9pm El Camino Memorial Mortuary 340 Melrose Avenue Encinitas, CA 92024 FRIDAY, September 23rd, 2011: Memorial Service & Catholic Mass: 11am Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church 1001 Encinitas Blvd. Encinitas, CA 92024 Funeral Service & Burial: (Immediately Following Mass) El Camino Memorial Park - Sorrento Valley 5600 Carroll Canyon Road San Diego, CA 92121 Remembrance Gathering: (Following the Funeral Services) The Tanner Home 351 Horizon Drive Encinitas, CA 92024 (All are welcome to attend)