Donna Kathryn Woods

Born in Boston, Massachusetts to Barbara and Joseph Dawson, Donna, along with her brother Jack, eventually made her way to Southern California. At Lynwood High School, Donna made a name for herself as Bachelorettes president and a beauty queen. There, she also met her future husband Gerald.

After marrying, Donna pitched into the space race, proudly working at North American Aviation on NASA's Apollo program. She then spent years in Baltimore, MD and Fort Campbell, KY, towards establishing her soon-to-be family's life. In time, she and husband Gerry settled in Arcadia with their four children, Kimberly, Patricia, Kathryn, and Gerald Jr. 

Donna forever sought to create beauty and joy with her family (some related by blood, some by affection) at swim parties and Christmas pageants, on camping trips, and during delicious meals too plentiful to number. Donna volunteered at and led several organizations, including John Tracy Clinic, where daughter Kimberly was a pupil, Pacific Oaks Children's School, through whose yards all her children ran with abandon; Arcadia's public schools, which her children attended; Los Angeles County Arboretum; Knit-Wits; and the Assistance League of Arcadia.

Donna is survived by her brother, Jack; children, Kimberly (Mark), Patricia (Molly Ann), Kathryn (Benjamin), and Gerry Jr.; the father of her children; her four grandchildren, Grant, Megan, Naomi, and Joanna; lifetime friends Missey Moe-Cook (James) and Johnny Moe (Jan), and others too numerous to name. She is predeceased by her parents and beloved companion Joaquin Lasarte.

Services will take place on Sat. May 31, 2025 at 10 AM at St. Rita Catholic Parish (318 No. Baldwin Ave. in Sierra Madre), and will be livestreamed on the church's Facebook page. A reception will follow locally. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Donna's name to the Yosemite Conservancy (Yosemite.org).