Donna Jackson Holt

In the early morning of March 18, 2026, Donna passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by love and in the compassionate care of Savanah House Memory Care and Ever Present Hospice, following many hours of visits from family and friends.

Donna was born and raised in Joplin, Missouri, where she developed a deep and lifelong love for family. As a young teenager, she moved to Glendale, Arizona, where she graduated from Glendale High School while living with her Aunt Luise.

It was in Arizona that she met the love of her life, “Papa,” while he was stationed at Luke Air Force Base. They married and built a life grounded in love, perseverance, and partnership. Donna attended Tempe Normal School, living in Matthews Hall, where Papa famously had to sign her out and back in for their dates—a story she often shared with a smile. She supported him through his education before later completing her own, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a minor in Business from Arizona State University after their children were born.

A hardworking and determined woman, Donna built a successful career in accounting and eventually opened her own business from her home. She skillfully balanced her professional life with raising a family she deeply cherished.

Donna spent 71 wonderful years living in Tempe and Mesa, where she became an active and beloved member of her community. She enjoyed participating in the Kiwanis tennis club, social clubs, Methodist church activities, and Girl Scouts. She had a passion for staying active and could often be found riding her bike through Tempe and Scottsdale or walking her beloved dog, Christy, both at home and in Mund’s Park.

Her joyful spirit shone through her love of teaching line dancing throughout the Valley and during summers in Mund’s Park. She treasured time spent playing bridge and gin rummy with friends and had a deep passion for genealogy, photography, and capturing family memories on video.

Donna held a special place in her heart for Mund’s Park, where she contributed to the local paper, writing about the history of Northern Arizona and the founding of the area by the Munds family. She took great pride in preserving stories and sharing them with others.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Her Isuzu Rodeo in the 1990s, her favorite flowers, poinsettias, and the countless moments spent surrounded by those she loved.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Richard “Dick” Jackson and Esther Smith Jackson; her husband, William Holt, Sr.; and her daughter, Dyane Elaine Holt-McGinnis.

She is survived by her son, William Holt, Jr.; her grandchildren, Chase Holt and Rachelle Cherryholmes (husband Trevor); and her three great-grandsons, Carson, Mason, and Grayson Cherryholmes.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Dyane Elaine Holt-McGinnis Memorial Scholarship at: https://www.mcccdf.org/donate/

Donna will be remembered for her strength, independence, warmth, and the love she gave so freely to all who knew her.