Jane Lenore Donsker

Jane Lenore Donsker, 72, educator and artist, passed peacefully on December 23, 2020, with loving family and caregivers nearby after a steady decline in health. She was born in Portsmouth, VA and grew up in southern California with three sisters sharing her early life. She was the sister with the platinum blonde hair, which stayed with her and embellished her beauty throughout her life. Early on she became a talented artist and seamstress, eventually able to sketch or sew almost anything she could imagine from wedding dresses and theater costumes, to quilts and stuffed animals.

She found her passion in teaching children and was a dedicated elementary school educator for more than 30 years in California and Arizona. "I can't" were words she didn't accept from anyone. "Yes you can" was what she lived by and inspired those around her. This teaching survives her.

Anyone who knew her could see that her students were loved, only second behind the love for her two sons, Seth and Nathan. Stories of sons and students filled her conversations and were her joy. That is, until her five beautiful grandchildren, Owen, Addison, Grady, Elsie and McKinley, were elevated to first in that pecking order, lucky to garner her love and attention.

Jane lived most to her life in California, but moved to Phoenix, Arizona the moment her first grandchild was born. She spent most of her last 10 years in Lake Havasu enjoying retirement close to two of her sisters. Jane filled her days voraciously reading about history, creating treasures for loved ones and sharing her skills with others. She was a true storyteller and you would remember the tales she told. As a dog lover, many dogs got to fill this space when humans were busy, and they were spoiled accordingly.

She was preceded in death by her mother, father and stepfather. She is survived by her three sisters, her two sons & daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Arizona Humane Society. https://www.azhumane.org/

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