Donna Fae Kingsley

Donna Fae Kingsley was born on September 6, 1930 in Ekalaka, Montana. Even after living over 75 years in California, she always considered Ekalaka home. She was the daughter of George and Alice Kingsley and was from a family of nine children being number eight in order. Her siblings included Robert, John, Lester, Henry, Andrew, Max, Minnie and Betty. She never forgot the love and memories of her home-town. She remained friends with her childhood friends Jeannie Faye, Marlene and Patsy through the decades.

Hard-working, courageous and independent, Donna ventured off to Teachers' College in Billings, Montana at 19. Her first teaching job was in a one room school-house with students of various grades. She was responsible for preparing the school for class, priming the pump, heating the freezing school room with a wood fire and of course teaching 5 students of various ages (one of them only a year younger than her). She later taught on an Indian Reservation deep in the Montana countryside. Donna then went on to get her Bachelors of Education from San Diego State in California in 1961. She remained in California and taught in the Westminster School District for over 35 years (Finley and Midway City School) living her dream to teach children to read. She felt she had chosen the best career possible: teacher and mother.

Vivacious and fun-loving, Donna had an effect on each person she met. She took interest in people in a way that would empower them. She wanted to know about a person's politics, religion and family life; a consummate educator. Donna was also passionate about square dancing and country music. Through square dancing she met her life partner, Tom McAda. The two simply blended together as they shared dancing, politics, and most importantly the love of family and the Lord. She enjoyed her membership to First Christian Church in Huntington Beach throughout her life.

Donna had two daughters, Dana and Jamie, that she loved deeply. Donna was generous, caring and devoted to her children and grandchildren- always instilling life's goodness, strong-ethics and deep rooted American values. She loved her 7 grandchildren and was especially close with Alexandra, Kendalle, Reed and Blake. She was able to hold her first great-granddaughter Quincy in May before she passed. Donna is also survived by her beloved partner of 25 years, Thomas McAda and her older sister Minnie McDonald and younger brother Max Kinsley.

Donna was surrounded by her daughter Dana and her partner Tom during her final time on this earth; she was excited to cross over and see her mother Alice again and happy to join the Lord in heaven on June 15. 2021. Psalm 23 was her favorite Bible verse, and she was confident in the promises of God, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."