Donna Jeanne Spicer

Donna Jeanne (Decker) Spicer, passed on Monday, July 29, 2019 in Deltona, FL surrounded by loved ones. She was born on April 21, 1950 in Toledo, Ohio to Charlotte Ruth (Tripp) Jones and Donald Edward Decker.

Donna was a dedicated and giving mother of three. She absolutely loved Christmas and created the family tradition of a having fully, and impeccably decorated house and Christmas tree, showering her kids and grandkids with presents that were perfectly wrapped and tied with bows, and silly Christmas pajamas. She was especially known for her holiday peanut butter fudge and lasagna.

She worked as a bank teller for the majority of her life at Wells Fargo (formerly Wachovia and First Union), while her later years were spent working at Florida Safety Council. She was always loved and respected by her coworkers for her kind spirit and caring smile, and her knack for balancing drawers and checkbooks.

She graduated from Sylvania High School in 1968, married John Taft the same year, and shortly after birthed her only son Nick. The young parents, Donna and John divorced after seven years of marriage, and some years after that John disappeared and moved to Florida. In 1982 they were reunited due to a sick family member, and John asked Donna and Nick to visit him in Florida. She reluctantly decided to go, and by the end of the week the two had fallen back in love. After some courting and a dream premonition, Donna decided to make a huge life change and leap of faith, and moved her and Nick to Central Florida to start anew. They remarried, and Donna birthed her second child, Nannette. Two years later, John died tragically in a car accident. In the wake of his death, she was supported by family and friends, and showed the world just how strong she was as she continued to gracefully work hard and provide for her children.

In 1987 Donna was introduced by a mutual friend to her now husband and second love of her life, Rick Spicer, and the two married September 5, 1988. The following year she birthed her third child, Angel (Spicer) Griffin. Together Donna and Rick provided a beautiful childhood for Angel and Nannette, with the fun house on Chaney Drive that had a trampoline, tree house, pool, and was the host to some amazing birthday parties and sleepovers. The fond memories of these idyllic years are shared by neighborhood friends who also experienced the magic of Chaney Drive, especially around Christmas.

As the family grew and houses changed, the family tradition of spending Christmas’ together, did not, and those traditions were shared and passed on to her six beautiful grandchildren. Donna expressed her love through gifts, and she would often hunt for the perfect gift and best bargain all year long in preparation for Christmas. She also made sure that whenever her kids brought a significant other, husband, or wife, that they too felt included by receiving a gift on Christmas Eve, which often included those fun Christmas pajamas.

Her friends and family are deeply saddened at the passing of this amazing woman. Donna leaves a legacy of unconditional love, integrity, dedication, kindness, and strength for all of the friends, family, and colleagues that knew her best.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Charlotte; husband, John; and son, Nick. She is survived by her sister’s, Sharon and Denise; her husband, Rick; daughters, Nannette and Angel; and grandchildren, Taylor, Brandon, Rylee, Marshall, Kadence, and Miles.

The family would like to thank the healthcare professionals at the Mid Florida Cancer Center, particularly Dr. Nair and Sarah for their great care in the last year’s of Donna’s life, as well as the Halifax Health – Hospice Center in Orange City that provided her with comfort during her final days. Together, we were all able to witness and admire her strength and sense of humor.

Donna’s service will be held at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home at 994 East Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Visitation will be held Sunday August 4th from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, and the funeral service will take place at 3:00 pm, followed by a Celebration of Life reception with friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the American Cancer Society or the Halifax Health – Hospice Center in Orange City.