Donna Jean Adams

Donna was born December 31st 1942 in Denver, Colorado. During her childhood she lived in Los Alamos New Mexico, until the family moved back to Denver where she graduated from South High school in 1960. Donna was a dedicated daughter and sister. She carried much of the load for the family due to her mother being ill. Donna took over most of the care for her youngest brother John who had polio. She was a mom before even having children of her own.

Donna was married in 1966 and had a son, Mike, September 20th 1967 in Rockford Illinois. After moving back to Denver, Donna was divorced in 1971.

Donna started working in the banking industry and went to banking school at night to get a certification in banking. After a few more years of schooling in Evanston Illinois at Northwestern University, Donna received a certification as Trust account manager. Donna worked for Central Bank of Denver and at the time of her retirement she had achieved the position Trust Department Vice President.

Donna was an active member in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Denver since 1960. She held every office including President. She was active in the sorority with many charitable causes and found the work very fulfilling.

Donna was an avid seamstress. She learned to sew at an early age and made many of her own clothes growing up. She made her own suits for work while working at the bank. Her ability to sew carried over into arts and crafts. Her best works were her cross stitch needle work. But she could always stitch a patch or fix a seam at a moment’s notice. She collected dolls and made doll clothes for them all her life.

Donna loved baseball. The New York Yankees with Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson where her favorites. She also loved all-star wrestling, which she would attend in person with her son and nephew. Stock car racing was also an interest of hers. She enjoyed going to Lakeside speedway and Englewood speedway. Figure 8’s where her favorites. Donna’s son took her to a NASCAR race in Colorado Springs once. She said the seats where too high up and she could not hear the cars, so Donna and her son moved down as low as they could get to the track.

Donna was a child of the 50’s and with that she fell in love rock-n-roll. She first heard Bill Haley and the Comets at a high school basketball game in Los Alamos N.M. She said “everyone went nuts.” But Donna’s favorite was Elvis, hands down. For the rest of her life, even at the end, it was an Elvis song that would bring a smile to her face.

Donna’s heart belonged to her family. She worked hard and sacrificed to give her son the best. Things where not always easy, but she always managed. She put others before herself, and gave when there was not much to give. Being raised by parents of the greatest generation played a role in how she helped others and how to make it through tough times. Everyone in her family is a better person for witnessing Donna’s compassion for others and love of her own family. From a very young age to her passing it was her family that gave her the most happiness and pride.

Donna was preceded in death by both her parents, her two brothers and niece Debbie Adams.

More importantly she is survived by her son Mike Scarpella, nephew Jesse Adams and his family, nephew Jeff Adams and his family, niece Shari McGraw and her family, niece Laura Adams and her family and niece Jamye Worman and her family.

Donna’s memory will not vanish in time, it will only grow stronger.