Donna Jean Crakes

Born in Spokane, Washington, on February 18, 1933, Donna, along with her younger sister and brother, was raised by her parents, Julius J. and Gwendolen (Bartley) Dettrich, in Langley, Washington, on Whidbey Island and on a farm in Snohomish County, Washington. Donna often told her children and grandchildren wonderful stories about her happy childhood “in town” and “on the farm.”

After graduating from the University of Puget Sound in 1955, Donna worked as an occupational therapist in Portland, Oregon. While at a bus stop in Portland, Donna met the love of her life, James Grant Crakes. Donna married Jim in 1957 and together they moved to Jim’s hometown of Eugene, Oregon, and then to Temple City, California. In 1967, Donna and Jim moved with their three young children to the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego, where they would live the rest of their lives.

Donna didn’t sit still very often. She was an exceptional artist — her favorite media were watercolor, stained glass and copper enameling. She played the baritone saxophone, the organ and handbells. She was an excellent cook, and had an unbelievable green thumb, able to bring any and all plants to their full potential. She could fix anything — plumbing, electrical, woodworking — you name it, she could fix it. Donna was an avid animal lover of both the domestic and the wild. Her favorite pets were her many cats, and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park were among her favorite local outings. She devoted countless hours to her children’s schools and to her church of 50 years, Point Loma United Methodist Church, in Ocean Beach.

Donna loved to travel, to see family and friends in far off places, and to collect antiques from all over the world. Her travels included a three month European camping trip in 1972 in a VW pop-up-top camper with her husband Jim and their children in tow, attending several Olympic Games, as well as a round-the-world trip with Jim in 2000. Donna never tired of seeing new places and things!

In the later years of her life, Donna met the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease with determination and grace. She spent as much time as she could with her family, friends and pets, still traveling when she could. She was lucky to have spent less than two days in the hospital at the end.

For her entire life, Donna was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was everyone’s confidante. She listened and did not judge. She offered advice only when asked. Her broad smile and sparkling eyes brightened any room.

Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and is survived by her sister Arlene, brother Bill, son James II (Ailene), daughters Julie and Lynn (Todd), grandchildren Nicole (Dave), Kate, Michael, Sean, Allison and Meaghan, great-granddaughter Sierra, and so many dear friends and family. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on March 26, 2022, at Water’s Edge Faith Community, 1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd., San Diego. In light of Donna’s devotion to animals and the roles they play in our lives, the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Donna’s name be made to the San Diego Humane Society, the Zoological Society of San Diego, or Heifer International.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beardsleymitchell.com for the Crakes family.