Donna Ann Gama

To Donna Ann Gama, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Donna, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Donna really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Donna was born on October 6, 1957 at Victory Memorial in Brooklyn New York. Her parents were Therese Nastro, Grandparents Irene & Joe Nastro. Donna was raised in Brooklyn, New York. Even as a child, Donna had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She could’t help but capture everyone’s attention. She was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, she succeeded in entertaining her entire family.

Always a good playmate, Donna was easy going and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even during family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Donna managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Donna was raised with her younger sister Barbara.

All of Donna's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Donna experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She took part in dance, badminton and roller skating. She was a Girl Scout. In her spare time she liked dancing, singing, writing and reading. Donna's memorable achievements included participated in multiple shows for High School.

Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Donna was a class “cut-up.” She didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Donna simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Donna, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience. Since experience was Donna's best teacher. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Donna graduated from Fontbonne Hall in 1975. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was special education. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Sister Mary Arthur. Glee Club and the Academic Presentation Org.

Donna reveled in her college years, where her imagination could run free. She was viewed by many of her classmates as being a creative, artistic person. Donna was usually found at the center of things, whether it was during class or in extracurricular activities. She was a jovial person who loved to share her passion for fun with others. But for Donna, life was not a case of all play and no work. Donna relished the task of putting her imagination to work in class. She was able to discover new and different ways of answering problems and creating unusual and different solutions. She earned her Associates degree in Special Ed. From Meddesex College in New Jersey and started college at Kean University in New Jersey. Her favorite courses were education classes. Loved working with special needs children and volunteering to work with special children. She lost her sight from diabetes in 1981.

Donna never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Donna to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Donna delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Donna was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Donna utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Virginia Luci and Barbara Moran. Later in life, she became friends with Jane Meyers, Betty Breed, Jane Biumi, Donna Figliozzi, Linda marino, Eleanor Ida Cavalen, Maryann Naples and Steve Grove. Donna loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Donna very easy to approach. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

At work, as in life, Donna was a real “people person. ” she had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Donna liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Donna was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Donna's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Donna as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was secretary for federal government in personnel dpt. She was employed for ten years for military traffic management command.

Donna enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Donna liked creating and making things. Her favorite pursuits were spending time with family and listening to music. Donna was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Donna felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if she wasn’t the best, Donna loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Donna relished the opportunities where she could make an impact, and she would often push herself to play above her abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Donna never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. Donna was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were baseball (Mets Fan).

Donna had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Donna's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged. In high school, Donna was a member of the Glee Club. Throughout her later years, Donna was an active member of the Family and Friends.

A generous person who often wore her heart on her sleeve, Donna often found herself involved in activities she deemed important. She was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made her a natural volunteer. Outspoken in her beliefs, yet tactful in her dealings with others, Donna was a member of several community groups, serving on committees for the Red Cross, Juvenile Diabetes Assoc. And American Federation for the Blind.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Donna recognized that her faith was important to her throughout her life. She was a member Our Lady of Angels for eighteen years. During that time, she was on various Church Committees.

Naturally outgoing and generous, Donna was regularly doing things for others. For her, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though she never set out to gain individual recognition, Donna was given accolades for her many and varied accomplishments throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included a Television Interview for Disabled Employee of the Year.

Living life in the fast lane suited Donna just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included cruises with her mother and sister.

Donna believed that you had to experience life, and her life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 1994, Donna took it in stride as one more way to have fun. Her new life involved relocating to Fords, New Jersey and later to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With her boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Donna remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, she found new pleasure in being with family and friends. Even in retirement, Donna continued to stay in touch with her old friends and, since she'd never met a stranger, she made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Donna passed away on August 23, 2010 at Holy Cross Hospital, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A courageous battle against Diabetes. She is survived by her mother Therese, sister Barbara, Uncle Danny, Uncle Charlie & Aunt Maggie, Uncle Tom & Aunt Maryann and many more loving cousins. Services were held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Donna brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Donna Ann Gama lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.

Timothy Williams wrote a book of poetry and dedicated it to my mother. He included a poem about and to Donna in the book, titled “The Seer”.:

THE SEER

It is said

that reality has one face.

That there is a single truth

if one could see correctly.

Yet, I cannot see reality and truth

for the facades of deception.

My soul has been stifled

by the visual display.

But there is one

who must use her soul;

For her eyes refuse to be fooled

by Infinity’s camouflage.

The colors and the images are tools

to be used by the skillful artist

as the Greek poet had done.

For though his eyes refused to be

deceived,

He painted glorious masterpieces

for the mind’s eye.

Indeed, in this universe of deception,

she is unencumbered,

For reality is hidden from us

while that is all she sees.

Lying eyes cannot fool her

And grandiose gestures

assume their true significance before her.

She observes with her heart

and soul

For her eyes do not lie.

We say she is blind

but in truth, she is the Seer.

The Light from a Distant Star

A Book of Poetry written by Timothy D. Williams

Written in 1981 and Copyrighted in 1982 ( Dorrance Publishing)

Arrangements under the direction of Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.