Donna Joyce Garcea

Donna Domitrovich was born, 14 September 1914, near Northport, Washington, on a ranch in a remote area of north eastern Washington state, near the Canadian border. Their home was a two story log house and when she attended school, she really did walk the 1/2-1 mile in the snow in the winter time.

Life was harsh in the years of her youth, as it was for many families. She grew up in a home with no modern plumbing, no electricity and an outhouse. Eventually they did have a hand pump in the house to bring water to the inside of their house for kitchen use. Donna was one of 12 children. Their school was a one room school house until high school. Her father rented a house in Colville that the children could live in while attending high school.

After high school graduation her sister, Frances, sent her train fare for a trip to Spokane, Washington so she could better herself. Frances was a nursing student in Spokane at the time. Donna worked in the home of a local dentist helping around the house and watching the children. She also attended and graduated from beauty school. Her sister, Frances, met Amelia Scarcello Garcea at nursing school and through that connection Donna met Pasquale (Pat) Luigi Garcea and his family.

Donna and Pat were married 3 August 1938 at the Justice of Peace in Newport, Washington. Their first home was an apartment and later they were able to buy a newly built small house at East 3707 Pacific Ave. in Spokane. They settled into raising their family. They had a unique group of friends and family. This group called themselves the I Tappa Keg. This group consisted of Italian friends from Pat's youth and their spouses.

They had monthly card games and in the summer picnics at the parks or a lake with the children. Donna has outlived them all!

In 1957 the job market was not good for Pat in Spokane. He found a foreman job at the Nesbitt Bottling plant in San Jose, California, and moved the family. Later he worked and eventually retired from Coca Cola Bottling plant. Donna was a stay at home mom until their children were nearly raised. She worked at Camden High School in the kitchen and later took self improvement classes such as typing and crafts.

Donna was a breast cancer survivor two times and at the age of 87 she had heart surgery.

The home of Donna and Pat Garcea was always busy with friends and family. Donna could prepare a feast out of nearly nothing. She was a loving grandmother and great grandmother. She loved children.

In 1978 Pat Garcea was told he had cancer. Donna and her sister, Frances, and son Greg cared for him until his death in 1979. Then her sister Frances had cancer surgery and Donna helped nurse her back to health.

Donna is a true survivor and just picked herself up and started all over again. She was involved in the Kirkwood Senior Center in San Jose, she volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital and sang in the choir of St. Lucy's Catholic church in Campbell. She was a wonderful grandmother and great grandmother helping out with baby sitting as long as she was able.

Donna was predeceased by her parents Kata and Vinko Domitrovich, her husband Pat Garcea, her sisters Katie Domitrovich, Elsie Subasic, Mary Domitrovich, Ann Dionne, Frances Montani, Elizabeth Migliuri, Rose Domitrovich, Nellie Domitrovich, her brothers VIncent and Joseph Domitrovich. She was also predeceased by her grandson, Mark Patrick August.

She is survived by daughter, Leona August and son-in-law, Patrick August, son Larry Garcea, Son, Gregory Garcea and daughter-in-law Charlotte Garcea, grandchildren Deborah August Livermore and husband Jayson, Dianna August Skillicorn and husband James, Donna Garcea Hughes and husband Jesse, and Steven Vincent Garcea. Her great grandchildren are: Russell Mark August, Jennifer Livermore, Jared Livermore, Thomas Skillicorn and Mason Hughes. Her only remaining sister Barbara Domitrovich also survives her as well as 22 nieces and nephews.

Arrangements under the direction of Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary, Santa Clara, CA.