I’ve had a hard time choosing what memory to record here but our road trips are my favorite. When our road trips to Crescent City started ten years ago, I got to know the person I now  know as my fiercely loving Tia Donna. We had so many good laughs, and some of the hardest cries together. I saw your love expand with every new person we met, everyone was welcome at your table. Our breakfasts at the diner, and dinners at the only Mexican food spot in town, the mini road trips across Oregon state line (don’t forget to stop and take a picture!) - these memories make me smile. I know you’re smiling with me, too. I love you, I miss you. 

Tia Donna was one of the sweetest and kindest people I’ve ever met. My favorite memory of her is from one holiday a while back singing karaoke with the family. I can still see in my mind’s eye the huge smile on her face as she sang. Love you, Tia. We’ll miss you. 

Momma Donna,
Such a beautiful tender, kind, loving soul. It weighs heavy on my heart and soul to learn of your passing. I’ll never forget your voice and nice warms hugs. Our spiritual conversations is what brings me peace knowing that you’re ok and now peacefully resting without a care of this world. I’m going to miss sitting at the table chatting. I’m going to miss you answering the door when I don’t lay off the door bell. I’m especially going to miss you telling off Amber and putting her in her place. I love you. Until we meet again. Rest peacefully. 

We had the pleasure of meeting Donna a few years ago and from day one her smile radiated with so much peace and happiness. I loved all of our chats and all the laughs we shared. One conversation that will always be with us is the one where Ruben & Donna fell in love💕 While we all sat in our backyard; they reminisce on their love story they looked at each other with so much love, finishing each other’s sentences and then laughing together. I will miss her beautiful smile and her waving me down from the across the street. I truly admire the strength God gave her through this journey of life!💕 

- Ruben & Tanya Gomez


Donna was a well rounded and intelligent woman. I remember having great conversations with her at family events and we would laugh a lot. She loved her family with her whole heart and her walk with the Lord was inspiring. I am  especially grateful to Donna for creating my bestfriend. Amber and her mother has so much in common, they are both strong, intelligent, loving women. I am honored that they both let me into their lives and treated me as family. I will miss Donna but I know I will see her later. This is not goodbye Donna. Save a place for me at the table. You are forever loved and cherished. 

Mom and Pops at Lexi’s 1st birthday 🎉 

A famous writer once said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give”.
If that is true, then Donna made a great life. She was such a giving person, and I know many of you would agree.
Donna was born Donna Marie Armstrong on December 29th, 1955. She She was the middle child of Gary and Rebecca Armstrong, and she lived in San Diego all her life.
In 1973 Donna met Ruben and they were married April 15, 1974. This past Thursday actually would have been their 47th Anniversary. They had three children: Ruben, Amber, and Tony.
She loved her family so much and wanted nothing more than for everyone to be united. She spent a lot of time reading her Bible and praying for her family. She loved arts and crafts and cake decorating, and she was really good at it. Her favorite and most important roll was being a homemaker. She made sure everything was taken care of and in order. The true Matriarch of the family.
As many of you know Donna was diagnosed with stage 3 Ovarian Cancer in 2013.Despite this diagnosis, her passion for life and her contagious curiosity was no different. She was and will continue to be an inspiration to us all for living life to the fullest and not letting anything get in her way. She never wanted to burden anyone with feeling like they had to take care of her, especially on her more challenging days. Her selflessness didn't just show up after her diagnosis- she has been this way her whole life, putting others first and wanting to be her family and friends' rock.
 On March 24th, 2021 Donna lost her battle with Cancer but gained her wings for God at the same time. Even in her last days she was solid in her faith and knew what was awaiting her. God’s amazing kingdom! So, in reality she WON not lost! The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” In closing 2 Timothy 4:7 says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 

Donna, My Angel

Donna, my angel!

She gave unconditionally of her time.
Cleaning, cooking, and caring for my sons when I was unable.
A second mom she became to my sons, driving them to soccer, band practice, and keeping up their “routine”.

Donna, my angel!

Donna never knew the love, respect and admiration that was growing deep inside me as I recuperated.

No, she did all these things because she could, because it was the right thing to do. Because she was family.

Donna, My angel!

She will never know or fully understand the part she played in the success of my three boys. 
It was so much more than the mundane feeding and daily chores.
She ultimately taught me what the meaning of family truly was.  Her actions and selfless devotion can never be repaid.  

Donna. My angel!




May peace be with your family at this difficult time! Love always Cecy Ortega & Family

Mom’s Send off:

My mother was a beautiful soul! She spent her entire life caring for others, whether she knew them or they were complete strangers. She left her mark everywhere she went, and with everyone she came into contact with. She will definitely be remembered thats for sure! These last couple of weeks, I could just feel the love we all had for her, and its amazing! She would’ve loved to see how many people cared about her, and us as a family. I am so thankful to her for being there for my Chuch when I was lost. I could never repay her for that. She mothered everyone! So much so that friends often looked at her as a mom. She never shied away from being there for others who needed support in one way or another. The last couple of months of her life we spent apologizing and forgiving each other for the things we’ve done, and said to each other, that were damaging to our hearts and souls. I will forever be so grateful for that time! Because NO ONE can ever take that from us! We weren’t as close in life as I wished we had been and Although we had our differences I learned some incredible lessons from her about patience and strength. She experienced so many challenges in life and faced them head on with incredible strength and determination. But now she’s gone, and I know that she had fulfilled her mission here on Earth, yet now I’m here, left to deal with the feelings of regret, of not taking advantage of all the time we could’ve spent loving each other, and enjoying each other.  I’m going to miss her smile, her laugh and her advice. If you still have your parents in your life, show them NOW how important they are., while you still can. It might be too late for me but not for you! Cherish what you have, while you have it. Thank you all for being here today to honor her memory. She loved all of you and her memory will live on in all of us. 

Mama Bear Donna,
Thank you for being a sweet woman filled with kindness and love. My best memories of you were how you and my mom were Kellogg moms lol, chatting it up moms whenever you saw each other, soccer moms cause of the boys Rafa & Jr played together,  and by you never saying no to amber having a sleepover lol. But always no matter what, I saw that you had that beautiful smile on all the time  and how you loved Jr, Amber and Tony was the best.
 May you rest in peace, you will be missed and be placed in many hearts in memory. Our condolences with lots of hugs and love to La Familia Bernal from La Familia Reyes. We love you all. 
 Thank you Ms. Donna for being you 💜

Raquel🌹

Donna has always been an inspiration to each of us. She shared her heart and her gifts with everyone. She lifted others with her laughs, her smiles, and her encouraging words. No matter what challenges she was going through, she always made time to give to others. She lives on in our memories and our heart. We love you Donna and look forward to being together again!!

Before Donna was my sister-in-law she was my boss. We worked together in the Montgomery Wards Coffee Shop in Mission Valley for several years. That is where we became friends and discovered we were neighbors. 

I was very grateful that Donna taught me everything about managing a coffee shop. When the Coffee Shop closed I was able to get a position in management at Taco Bell.

When I needed a place to live Donna opened her home to me. That’s when I met Tony her brother-in-law and well that’s how we became sister-in-laws.

We shared so many good times, those are memories I will keep dear to my heart. I miss you, but I know we will meet again. My only regret is that I didn’t get to witness your baptism. Love you❣️🙌🏼👑🙏🔥



Thanksgiving Day 2019. We love and miss you Donna!

Donna made us laugh so much with her funny stories. Her strong faith in God was an example for all of us. We will greatly miss her joy, enthusiasm and love. 

I miss her everyday, that beautiful smile and her sweet temperament. God used her as his vessel; she fought a good fight and finished her course. We were Baptized together and it was Glorious!
It is indeed an honor to have had her in my life and her memories will always be a blessing. ❤

I met Donna at my first bible study with the Queens. It was the first and last time I saw her. .Although she was sick, her love and faith in the lord was so big and so overwhelming. I only wish I could have spent more time knowing her.  I know she is  at peace and with the lord.     Until I see you again my sister in Christ. 

I met Donna through our ladies church group Garvey’s Angels a few years ago and was blessed to become instant friends. 
Donna had an infectious personality  that just drew you to love her. 
She shared many stories of her life, her beloved family and her deep Faith. She was an encouragement to me and I in turn lifted her up when she would speak of her own struggles. 
I will never forget the fun and laughter she brought to our friendship, including our women retreats, weekly bible studies and especially the trip we took to see Chris Tomlin in concert.  What an amazing time of worship and friendship!
 Donna’s quick, sarcastic at times, humor definitely meshed well with our friendship. I loved her quick wit! :-) She definitely left a big stamp on her life and will forever be loved and missed dearly.
My prayers of comfort goes out to her family especially her beloved husband Ruben. May God blanket you all with comfort during this difficult time. Know that your beloved Donna is celebrating with her Heavenly Father. 
I know she would have been greeted with a “Well Done” by Him. Her Faith was everything to her and that alone carried much respect  for who she was. She will forever be remembered and hold a special place in our hearts. We love you Donna.  RIP my friend.





I remember when Donna joined our Bible study group a few years ago. She was so eager to know and experience the Lord’s presence. She would tell us about her life and family. 
She loved her family and the Lord so very much. I had the privilege of praying with her at some of our retreats and meetings.  I saw her heart and desire for the Lord.  

We know that to be absent in the body is to be present with the Lord. As all that love her mourn, be assured of her rest and peace with our Lord. 

To the Bernal family, our prayers continue. May the Lord be your comfort and please know how much we loved her. 

OBITUARY

Donna Marie Bernal

December 29, 1955 – March 24, 2021

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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