Donna Jean Stevens

The middle of three children of Houston and Dona Hughes. She had an older brother, Harley who passed in February, 2007, and has a younger sister, Sharon. At the age of six her family moved to Dover, Missouri to operate the family owned convenience store and gas station.

Donna grew up in this rural farming community until she was a junior in high school when her parents moved to Gardena, California where she and her sister attended Gardena High School. In the Summer of 1958 her parents bought a new home in Anaheim and Donna and Sharon went to Anaheim High School where Donna graduated in 1959.

Fall of 1959, while she was waiting to become of age to become a flight attendant for TWA she went to work for Bank of America (Anaheim Main Office branch #209) where she met a "cute guy" named Alvin (Steve) Stevens. They had their first date on September 19, 1959 and had a beach day at Dana Cove. They ultimately continued the date with the drive-in movies: "Green Mansions" with Audrey Hepburn and Anthony Perkins. The second feature was "Darby O'Gill and the Little People."

October 25, 1959 Donna was surprised when an engagement ring was slipped on her finger while sitting in the car in front of the family home. Can you believe this dummy had slipped the ring on her ring finger of the wrong hand? It took Donna a couple of hours to realize it was on the right hand instead of the left.

January 30, 1960 was the date she became Mrs. Alvin Stevens. They lived in Anaheim until March of 1961 when they bought their first brand new home in Santa Ana for $16,250 with mortgage payments of $126 a month including the impounds.

They were blessed with three children: Jeffrey Lee in 1961 (deceased in 1995) and two daughters Gwenna Lisa in 1962 and Carole Leslie in 1964.

They ultimately moved to Moreno Valley in 1989 to Sunnymead Ranch and then to Il Sorrento Mobile Home Park in 2001.

Donna enjoyed being social and rarely found a stranger. Her major occupation was wife, mother, and an engineer with the phone company. She was very involved with Boy Scouts, Campfire Girls, water polo, the girl's ballet and all the children's activities.

Donna was also a talented cake decorator, licensed cosmetologist, involved with an organization of business women here in Moreno Valley, managed a tax office for 9 years, a hospice volunteer for the last 11 years, and active with Elizabeth Circle. She became a member of Christ Community Church in December of 2006.

She is survived by her husband, Steve; her mother, Dona Hughes; her sister, Sharon Kay Hughes; her daughters Gwen Stevens and Carole Stevens; granddaughter, Amber Ludwig; grandson, Steven Ludwig; and great grandson David William Lopez and many extended family members.

She earned the love of so many people because of her love for them and her involvement with organizations, her passion for jewelry making, crocheting, knitting, and so many other crafts.

She will be missed and loved, until those of us who love her join her in heaven.

Reception is immediately following at the Club House at Il Sorrento Mobile Home Park, 23820 Ironwood Avenue, Moreno Valley.