Donna Dolan

Donna was born on November 9, 1944 at St. Louis Maternity Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri to John and Amanda Leicht. Donna was raised in St. Louis, before moving to California as a teenager. During high school, Donna was a cheerleader, and was most notably renowned at her high school for raising hell. As a young woman and throughout her life, Donna always made others laugh and enjoyed the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. Donna started working soon after high school; after working for twenty years and learning everything about Business Administration on the job, Donna went back to earn her Associate's degree in Business Administration from Cypress College.

Donna never actually met a stranger in her dealings with people. Her laughter and openness made her fast friends with everyone she encountered. Donna enjoyed being in the presence of her many friends and acquaintances. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Donna was always right at home being among her friends. Donna met and grew close to many people throughout her life, whether it was fellow parents at PJ's high school, friends through business, or neighbors. Through later work years and retirement, she was closest to Toya Melendez, Cindy Briseno and Teresa Haley; in addition, she was blessed with wonderful neighbors and friends in Las Vegas, Don and Sally Wentzel. Donna loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.

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. 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. Donna worked all her life. Her primary occupation was as an office manager and accountant, a job she enjoyed for most of her career. After and in between stints as a truck driver, at the phone company, and in the back office of a medical practice, she worked at Norm's Refrigeration as the office and accounting manager, where she quickly took charge of everything. Following this, she managed the bookkeeping and accounting office at both Continental Business Services and Alpine Refrigeration. Her experience and desire to be her own boss led her to open ADDS Business Services in 2002 to provide accounting and bookkeeping services to small business throughout Southern California (and beyond). One of her proudest achievements is that ADDS lives on, and is managed by Cindy Briseno and Teresa Haley, her right-hand girls since working together at Continental.

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. Donna was a member of the National Association of Accountants. Later, she supported her son’s love of music by serving on the Cypress High School Band Booster’s board as Treasurer, regularly ran and staffed fundraising activities for the band, and was a devoted attendee to games and performances.

It was in fact at a National Association of Accountants meeting where she first met her to-be husband, Phil. Phil came to her defense regarding a disagreement during a meeting, and he quickly learned that she didn't need anyone to come to her defense! Donna and Phil hit it off from their first meeting. On February 8th, 1975 Donna and Phil exchanged wedding vows at Wee Kirk O' the Heather in Las Vegas, NV, after Phil managed to pull Donna away from the craps table. Donna and Phil shared a loving marriage of 44 years. Donna’s loving heart, down-to-earth sensibilities and laughter complemented Phil’s empathetic nature, and always served to remind him that even in the darkest times everything would turn out alright.

Donna and Phil were blessed with two children, daughter Antoinette and son Philip (PJ). They were also blessed with two grandchildren, Todd and Traci Blocker as well as five great-grandchildren, Hannah, Jazmyn, Angela, Novaleigh, and Anthony. Donna passed on her traits of compassion, independence and strength to both of her children and her grandkids, who all are living examples of different aspects of her character and spirit. In addition, Donna loved Vince and Heather, her son- and daughter-in-law, and was always happy to see the lives that they built together with her children.

Donna always had a fondness for travel. She loved traveling with her family on long, mishap-laden car trips through the desert in summer. These would inevitably involve events such as car breakdowns in the middle of the desert in the summer mid-day sun, sleeping in campers in 110 nighttime heat, and getting lost. She always faced these traveling setbacks with the same sense of humor she faced every other aspect of her life, which always helped buoy her husband and family. Not all family trips involved being stranded in the desert-- she also enjoyed car trips up the California coast, weekends in San Diego, and turnarounds to Vegas from Los Angeles. As long as she was with Phil, she was happy to go wherever life took her.

Donna was a lover of animals and cherished her pets, enjoying them almost as much as she enjoyed being around other people. One of Donna's favorites was Cody, a loving mutt who passed away in 2015. They were best friends for 14 years. Donna always enjoyed having pets in the family. Previous pups in the family were Emmy, Trip, Freddy (who Donna loved and Phil didn't) and Mush (who Phil loved and Donna didn't). This love of animals extended to her furry grandbabies as well, and she always loved visits from Beau, Otis, and Sadie. Despite her allergies to cats, she even took in and cared for Heather and PJ’s two cats, Oscar and Rupert, while they were moving.

Donna believed that you had to experience life, and her life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in Donna "retired" in 2004, but continued working part time during tax season until 2017. After retiring, Donna and Phil relocated to Southaven, Mississippi to be closer to both of their children. In 2016, they relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. With her boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Donna remained busy with people and projects. Donna never fully retired, but rather kept up during tax season to visit and keep up with her friends in California. When not working, Donna enjoyed traveling with Phil to indulge his interest in both Civil War monuments and Notre Dame football, visiting Vicksburg and Shiloh, Chicago and South Bend. It goes without saying that Donna and Phil also enjoyed sightseeing at Tunica and Biloxi, as well. After moving to Las Vegas, Donna and Phil continued to tour the local sights (i.e. casinos). In addition, throughout her retirement Donna drew great pleasure from supporting a variety of animal rescue associations. Even in retirement, Donna continued to stay in touch with her old friends.

Donna passed away on May 22, 2018 at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Donna fought a brave battle against cancer, and passed away at home, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband, Phil, children Antoinette (Vince) and PJ (Heather), grandchildren Todd, and Traci, and 5 great-grandchildren. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary. Donna was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery.

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 and knowing that. Things would work out. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Donna Dolan lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her better people just for knowing her. She will be remembered with loving hearts, and will be sorely missed.