Donna Marie Evans

It is with considerable sadness that we announce that Donna Evans passed away on November 15, 2015 after a long and difficult struggle with cancer. She was born September 12, 1944 in Oakland, California to Donald and Marie Horne. She was raised in Walnut Creek and attended local schools graduating from Las Lomas High School at age 17. She then enrolled at Notre Dame da Namur College in San Mateo. While there, she took advantage of its overseas education program to study in France for a year. She became fluent in French, Spanish, and Italian.

Upon graduation she earned a teaching credential and began a 36 year career teaching French in the Merced Union High School District. She was a French Club advisor and raised money for cultural events in the bay area and her club provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to her able students.

She met and married her husband Robert in Merced and together they literally traveled the world visiting Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia. Donna was an avid reader belonging to two book clubs. She belonged to the American Association of University Women and participated in gourmet cooking programs. Her cooking skills earned her a renowned reputation because her dinners complete with beautifully adorned decorations, were celebrated by all those who were invited to enjoy them.

She leaves behind a beloved sister Charlotte (Remi) and her nephew Douglas. She was a stepmother to Kathy Gonczkowski and Jon Evans Byers (Diane). She had an extended family through her many cousins living in all parts of California.

Donna was devoted to her family and friends and made the effort to be involved in a positive way to contribute to their lives. Donna was an intelligent and accomplished person. She was well educated and sought out activities that continually developed her mind. She was a person who inspired encouragement in others and made it easy for people to appreciate her competencies. She will be terribly missed by all who knew her.

The family would like to express its thanks to her many doctors throughout California and to Hinds Hospice for their concerned and helpful service during Donna’s last days.

Services will be held on Friday November 20th with a viewing at 10:00 a.m. and services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home 1490 B Street, Merced, Ca. Her internment shall be held at Plainsburg Cemetery.