May 11, 1936 - May 2, 2024
Sheila Evelyn Donenfeld (nee Gordon) passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Thursday, May 2, 2024 in Santa Ana, California.
Sheila was born in Brooklyn, NY on May 11, 1936. Sheila met Mike Donenfeld at a party when she was 15 years old and, according to Mike, it was love at first sight. Mike and Sheila were married following Sheila’s high school graduation on June 19, 1954 - almost 70 years together! Sheila joined a big family, as Mike is the youngest of seven brothers.
Sheila’s first daughter Beth was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1957, followed by Mindy in 1961. In 1963, Mike and Sheila made the big decision to move to Wheaton, MD for Mike’s job, making them the first ones of their families to leave New York. Sheila always supported Mike's career and moved from Maryland to Connecticut, and Connecticut to Michigan for job opportunities, finally landing in California close to Mindy to enjoy the warmer weather.
Friends, family, and her life partnership with Mike were the most important things to Sheila. Wherever Sheila went, she was always active in the local Jewish congregation and community, whether it was Sisterhood Vice-President, working at the JCC, or making time to volunteer. Sheila was renowned for her cooking and baking skills and for hosting large family gatherings. There were always some chocolate goodies like toll house squares or “Mindy’s cake” in the freezer. While we are still trying to create her recipes (never written down), her food is just one part of Sheila that we all miss.
While Sheila and Mike were always a very strong team, Sheila was also very independent, often traveling by herself to visit Mindy in Paris. No matter how far away Beth and Mindy lived, the bond between mother and daughters, and with her grandchildren, remained strong. Sheila and Mike tried to make it to as many family events as they could, to celebrate the happy occasions in life.
Sheila is survived by her beloved husband Michael Simon Donenfeld of Tustin, California, her daughter Beth Perry and her husband Jay Perry of Omaha, NE, and Mindy Liron and her husband Guillaume Liron of Brea, CA, grandchildren Rebecca Liron, Hannah Perry, Emilie Liron and Gabriel Liron, her Aunt Elaine, cousins and numerous nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Memorial donations may be made to:
• North County Chabad Center in Yorba Linda, CA for the Aleph Preschool https://www.ocjewish.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/420007/jewish/Donate.htm,
• Chabad Jewish Center of Tustin for the Building Campaign https://www.chabadtustin.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/4335007/jewish/Building-Campaign.htm,
• Or Hadassah https://www.hadassah.org/donate.
Funeral Arrangements for Sheila Donenfeld
A graveside funeral will be held at Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Mortuary and Memorial Park in the Garden of David on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 2pm at the following address:
1625 Gisler Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626-2201
714-540-5554
Signs will be posted upon your arrival indicating parking and funeral plot location.
Shiva Arrangements:
The family will be sitting shiva at Mike Donenfeld’s residence following the funeral service on Wednesday, May 8th and on the following days as scheduled below:
• Wednesday, 5/8/2024 - Gathering immediately after funeral services, Minion starts at 7:30pm
• Thursday, 5/9/2024 - Drop by anytime between 2pm - 5pm, Minion starts at 7:30pm
• Friday - 5/10/2024 - Drop by anytime before Shabbat
• Saturday, 5/11/2024 - Mom’s Birthdate, Drop by anytime between 2pm - 5pm
• Sunday, 5/12/2024 - Mother’s Day, Drop by anytime between 2pm - 5pm, Minion starts at 7:30pm
• Monday, 5/13/2024 - Drop by anytime between 2pm - 5pm, Minion starts at 7:30pm
The apartment address is:
15101 Coventry Way, Tustin, CA 92782
Unit #103 - first (ground) floor to the right
Entrance Code to the Building: 62657
Please park on the street on Cambridge Way in front of the apartment building.
Please contact Mindy Liron at 714-290-2689, Rebecca Liron at 714-329-6479, or Audrey Prezgay at 714-308-1006 if you have any questions.
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