Donna Walkup's Obituary
The brief story of Donna’s life is that she had a fun filled life that she enjoyed. She raised two children to among many things, know the value of honesty, integrity, importance of family, and knew that they were greatly loved by their mother. Donna was blessed with a sweet and caring granddaughter, April, that she loved and adored, and spent as much quality time with as possible.Donna was a loving, caring, emotionally strong and independent woman that possessed a great sense of humor, positive outlook on life, was generous, helpful,etc., and who loved to dance, was a fabulous cook and baker, was excellent at managing and budgeting money, and was just such a wonderful loving and caring woman that will be so greatly missed.Now here is the detailed story of Donna’s life:Donna Louise Walkup was born on March 3, 1934 in Minot, North Dakota, to Edith and Orvil Chaney. In 1936, she moved to Chicago with her mother, stepfather, John Madsen, and older sister Margaret. In 1942 they moved to Oakland, then to Hayward, CA.Donna was blessed with six siblings, which consisted of one older sister, Margaret, three younger brothers, John, Jim, and Harold, and two much younger sisters, Dorothy and Marion. Donna was a very loving, caring, and generous person, that would help others whenever she could. When young, she helped her parents take care of her younger siblings while they worked. Then after getting married, her doors were open to her brothers and to her husband’s brothers to come learn the trade of her husband. She was always willing to help both her family and her husband’s family.In 1952, Donna started dating Max Ward. They both loved to dance, and were very good dancers, often winning first place in dance contests.They fell deeply in love, and in 1953, they married and a year later Karen was born, and then in 1961, Randy was born. Donna was a stay at home wife and mother who helped with their contracting business in Carmichael, CA. Together they enjoyed various activities and social groups, and Donna became involved in and enjoyed numerous groups and clubs. Donna was a excellent cook, everything she made was delicious. She even made homemade pie crusts and homemade noodles for lasagna, to make them tastier. Everything she cooked was cooked to perfection, even her eggs at breakfast. She was also a fabulous baker and candy maker! Donna would make all the pies for the family Thanksgiving gatherings. As many as 14 delicious pies. Her siblings’ favorites were her Cherry Cheese Cake and Lemon Meringue Pies; but all of her pies were delicious and perfect.Donna taught herself how to sew, and would sew matching dresses for herself, her daughter and her daughters’ doll. When her much younger sisters visited, Donna would make matching dresses for herself, her sisters and her daughter. She also taught herself how to cut her own hair and give herself perms, and gave perms to her sisters, and friends. And she was very good at it.Donna’s younger sisters would come stay with her family in Carmichael during their enter summer vacation. This allowed her mom to work without worrying about her children, and her sisters could have a fun summer vacation swimming in her pool, riding Max’s motorcycle, going to the park, Sacramento Fair, learning how to fish, movies, etc. Donna wanted to help ensure that Dorothy and Marion had a wonderful summer vacation.Two of her brothers, Jim and Harold, lived at Donna’s home while her husband taught them how to be professional sheetrock/drywall tapers. Jim and Harold stayed in that career their entire lives, with Jim having his own successful business.By 1966, Donna was a single parent raising Karen and Randy all on her own. Although at times, she struggled, she did an excellent job. And fortunately, Evelyn and Richard Carter, cousins on their fathers’ side, invited Donna’s children to come stay with them and their two sons, for two weeks every summer, which gave Donna a sanity break, and gave Karen & Randy a fun filled two weeks of swimming, miniature golf, etc. Donna managed to find time, even though working full time, to not only cook and feed her children, always have clean clothes for her children to wear, keep their house clean and tidy, but to also spend quality time with her children. She helped them with their homework, and would spend time with them both individually, and together. Donna put her children first, and was an exceptional and fabulous mother.In 1968, Donna had another daughter. Not being married and already raising two children on her own, a 14 and 7 year old, and already struggling financially and emotionally, Donna had to make a decision as to what would be best for her child. So even though it was so difficult to do, feeling like it was giving up a piece of herself, Donna gave her daughter up for adoption, believing it was best for her daughter. Donna had great common sense, was exceptional with budgeting and managing her money well, possessed a fantastic sense of humor, loved to dance, and enjoyed talking with family and friends. She was an emotionally strong and independent woman who cared deeply for her family and others, and taught her children the importance of being honest and doing what is right, even when difficult. And she taught her children to share with others, to not be selfish, the importance of family, and so many other good solid values. Donna had a handful with Karen and Randy, perhaps because of their age difference and boy/girl. So Donna taught her children that when at other people’s homes, not to argue or antagonize each other, and to be on their best behavior, or they might not get invited back.In 1975, Donna met Larry Walkup while on a family camping trip in Stonyford, CA, and in 1976, married Larry, and moved her son Randy and herself to Stonyford. She helped Larry with the Backhoe business they bought from his father after they married, by managing the business, doing accounting, obtaining new business, phone calls, billing, etc. After Donna’s mother was diagnosed with cancer, and needed help, Donna left her home in Stonyford, and stayed with her mother, taking care of her mother for nine months before returning to Stonyford. Donna’s mother, Edith, passed away in 1985. For several years, while Donna was living in Stonyford, every summer, Donna’s younger sisters would bring their families to Stonyford and spend one to two weeks out in the country with Donna. They would swim, fish, go on jeep rides, hunt, play horseshoes, talk, laugh, and have a blast enjoying their wonderful time together.One summer, Donna had over 30 brothers/sisters’ families, nieces and nephews staying at her home. Her house was so full of people sleeping there, that there was not even floor space left to sleep on, it was wall to wall people. It is said by many, that those were the best summers that they ever had. Donna enjoyed hunting for bargains. When living in the Sacramento area, she would get the weekly trader paper, and would look to see if there was anything worth trading for. Later, she enjoyed going to garage sales looking for bargains.In 1993, Donna’s granddaughter, April, was born. Donna loved and adored her granddaughter, and did everything possible to be a big part in her life. Donna did her best to show her granddaughter how much she loved and cared for her, and for April to know how important and special she was. Donna would sing You Are My Sunshine to April, and loved bringing smiles to April’s face. Donna would drive to Williams to pick up April, then drive back home to Fremont, so that they could enjoy spending time together, and do the same to return her after their visit was over. April was very important and special to Donna. When April moved for a short time to Texas with her family, and was too fearful of flying to fly, even if escorted by Donna or Karen, Donna flew to Texas to visit April, staying in a nice hotel, taking April places, and taking her swimming in the hotel pool, to ensure that Donna and April were able to continue seeing each other and maintain their relationship. Donna loved her granddaughter so very much, to infinity and back, and would tell her so.Donna retired in 1996, left Larry, and together with Karen, chose and rented a house in Fremont together. Donna then ‘took care of’ her daughter by cooking, and doing all of the housework. Donna had always managed the household finances, and asked Karen if she could manage their finances, grocery purchases, etc. Karen was all for that, less for her to do. Who wouldn’t want that? Donna was so much better with money, grocery purchases, etc., then Karen, so it worked out well. Donna and Karen had already grown to have a very good mother/daughter relationship, and while living together, they became closer, becoming best friends. Donna had always told and showed both her children how much she loved and cared for them, and she continued to do so with Karen. Karen also would tell her mother how much she loved her, her advice, and how she would not be who she was today without her, etc. They became extremely close.In 1997, while visiting his mother in Fremont, Donna’s son, Randy, passed away of Hypoglycemia. Donna never got over losing her son, but got past it, and continued on, still enjoying the things she loved, talking with friends and family, going to gatherings, traveling and visiting family, cooking, baking, dancing, and bargain hunting, etc. From 2003 to 2005, and again from 2007 to 2008, Donna had the opportunity to travel across the country, staying from two weeks to nine months in many different states and cities with Karen for Karen’s job. They felt so blessed to see so many states, cities, and tourist attractions that they had never before seen, and had a wonderful time traveling together. Donna loved all of her family so much, and would make time to visit family, even when they moved away. She visited her brother John who moved to Oregon, and her brother Jim who moved to Henderson, NV. And her brothers would come to the Bay Area to visit family. Donna and her siblings all believed in visiting with family as much as possible.In 2003, Donna was able to connect via telephone with her daughter Bea, and discovered that she had two grandchildren, Josh and Kelsey. But since Bea was living in the Sacramento area, and Donna back East traveling, they were only able to talk on the telephone, and Donna would send birthday cards to the three of them. Between 2004 and 2005, they finally met in person, and Donna attended one of Kelsey’s soccer games.In 2005, Bea was moving, and gave Donna & Karen her new contact information. But Bea’s new contact information was put only into a cell phone, which was dropped and broke shortly afterwards, causing Donna to never again see or talk with Bea, Kelsey, or Josh. However, Donna was very happy to have met Bea. Their first visit was a wonderful visit, where Donna learned where Bea was raised, how she grew up, and what her life was like. After meeting Bea, Donna told Karen that she made the right choice in giving Bea up for adoption. As Bea was raised in San Francisco by loving parents who were financially able to provide very well for her. Donna and Karen continued to enjoy living together, visiting relatives, and sometimes traveling with family, such as the wonderful 2006 cruise, a week on a Mexican Riviera cruise with her daughter, her brothers’ family and her two sisters’families, with a total of 14 family members on the trip. And in 2009, Donna enjoyed a week trip to Maui with her daughter and two sisters.Donna would go with Karen when she played pool weekly. On numerous occasions, people would come up and tell Karen how nice her mom was, how funny she was, that she was such a hoot, they loved her, etc., and many times people would come up and ask “Are you Karen, Donna’s daughter?”, and then say “I have to tell you that your mother is so funny”, etc.Even after Donna was diagnosed with dementia in 2009, she still enjoyed life, had fun, traveled, went to her nieces and nephews’ birthday parties, family gatherings, to pool with Karen, etc., and still retained her great sense of humor, always telling jokes and/or having something funny to say, and laughing, smiling and enjoying visiting with others.In 2012, Donna’s health deteriorated drastically. She had already been dealing with dementia, COPD, hip replacements, and then after cardiac arrest in May, seizures in August, perforated colon in September, and CDIFF in October, Donna never regained her mobility again. However, she still enjoyed joking and laughing with you at things, and enjoyed living, all while dealing with pain and unable to walk. Donna was always a joy to be around. Even when she could not always remember who people were, she would tell them things like “You are so nice, I love you”; then say something funny, talk up a storm with you, joke with you, etc.In 2014, Karen and Bea reconnected through Facebook. Sadly though, Donna was unable to travel at that time, and not able to see Bea and her grandchildren again. Donna was always such a giving, generous, loving, caring, fair, and fun person to be around. She got along with everyone, and was always willing to help. Whether that was in the kitchen getting meals ready, washing or drying dishes after everyone was through eating, telling jokes, discussing matters, etc. Donna was so enjoyable to be around. Knowing that Donna is now without pain, has her memory back, and is in heaven with her parents, son, sister, brothers, and all of her extended family members and friends that have gone to heaven before her, and is enjoying seeing them again, helps lessen the pain of her loss just a bit. After her son Randy passed away, Donna would say that she knows that Randy opened a bar in heaven, and when she dies, she is going to go to his bar, have a glass of wine, and have a blast talking with Randy again.Donna peacefully passed away at her home the evening of September 23, 2017. Entering heaven before Donna, was her father, John Madsen, mother Edith Wilcheck, son, Randy Ward, older sister, Margaret Holochuck, younger brothers, John Madsen, Jim Madsen, and Harold Madsen, nieces, Heather Madsen, Sandra Taylor, and Jan Fryar, nephews, Ernie Fierro Jr., and Jamie Fryar.Donna leaves behind her daughter, Karen Ward, two sisters, Dorothy Fierro, and Marion Kelly, granddaughter, April Prado, numerous nieces and nephews, the family that she never had the opportunity to get to know, a daughter, Bea Muscat, and grandchildren, Josh Vaznaugh, Kelsey Flynn, and Kyler Wilson, many great nieces and nephews, and everyone that was blessed with the opportunity to get to know Donna. Donna was always very loving and supportive, and always accepted her children and their choices, even if she did not care for their choices, such as who they dated, etc., she accepted and supported them.Donna raised her children to know that they were important, smart, and could do anything they wanted to do if they worked hard enough at it, and that nobody was better or more important than they were. Everyone that was blessed with the opportunity to get to know Donna, loved her, and she loved them. Donna will be so greatly missed by many, and will always be loved and remembered. She will be in our hearts forever and a day, to infinity and back. We love you Donna, till we meet again in heaven.Please join us in honoring Donna at her memorial services on November 4, 2017 at 1:00pm The Chapel of the Chimes 32992 Mission Blvd. Reflection Room (Main building when you first enter the property) Hayward, CA 94544 (510) 471-3363 And please also join us afterwords at the gathering for the Celebration of Donna’s
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