I include my friend Donette in my daily prayers.  

I know Donette first as Tucker’s mom.  That is how folks who trail their pet come into one another’s worlds on morning walks in the park.  Walking, nodding, extending a greeting or dog tale and simply having that beautiful  space together for a few minutes gives you a time to acknowledge a connection that makes you feel better about out shared world.  You are missed, Donette, but present too on those morning breezes.  Rest well.  Dee and Gunnie 

Donette was a beautiful person who loved to walk her dog Tucker in the park almost every  morning. There I had the pleasure of meeting her and we started walking together.  I will forever cherish her friendship and keep her in my heart. May God bless her, Christopher, her husband Jesus and her entire family. She will definitely be missed! 

So saddened to hear of Donette’s passing. As a fellow NP I met Donette when we were both serving on the board of CCNP, California Coalition of Nurse Practitioner’s. I really enjoyed getting to know her.  Those seemed like care free day’s chit chatting , laughing, and sharing stories. 
I work at Kaiser and would often see her walking into work and we would catch up. 
I would occasionally see shared patients of hers in my office, they would often comment on what good care she provided.  Patient’s loved her.  On challenging wounds I would seek her advice on management or ask her to see a patient.  Always helpful and knowledgeable I came to rely on her as truly the expert she was in wound management.
   Donette had a wonderful sense of humor,  so friendly and easy to be with.  She had a warm accepting nature and I think patients often felt this.  It was my pleasure having known her and my heart is  saddened and heavier having learned  she lost her fight to cancer.  



I love to tell stories about us hanging out in my backyard studying with my dear friends from  USD.  We all formed a special relationship helping each other get through that experience.   I have so many fond memories of our time there because of all of you.  I also need to dig deep and find some photos from the crazy trip to Mexico one Easter.

Donette and I met at USD while getting our Masters in Nursing to become Family Nurse Practitioners.  We became good friends and shared  learning experiences often. I have fond memories of us participating in study sessions at Judy Jacoby's home in Ocean Beach. Though she was always modest, Donette had so much knowledge and experience as a wound, ostomy, continence nurse. We attended each other's baby showers. She spoke so fondly of Jesus, the love of her life, and of Christopher, their son, who went to the same college as our younger daughter. We both worked at Kaiser Permanente for many years. Though our paths didn't cross often at work, we stayed in touch and began communicating much more often after she was diagnosed with cancer. I cherish the times we spoke on the phone and especially times we spent together, such as meeting to walk their dog at Lake Miramar or to meet for lunch. When we last talked, which was shortly before her death, Donette was most concerned about facilitating the process of her son Christopher sharing his furniture with our daughter Margaux, as they were both moving. I have such fond memories of Donette and miss her so much, and am grateful to have shared parts of our lives together. 

I met Donette on our first day at Kaiser as we were in orientation together.  As a fellow NP, she was my resource person for all things related to wound healing.  My patients loved her.  I loved her.  I am heartbroken to hear of her passing.  I wish I could attend her memorial but I no longer live in San Diego.  I will be thinking of her.

I met Donette At University of Illinois, College of Nursing in 1974.  I was living off campus with my sister, Valerie Gorman, having just moved to Chicago from Covington, Kentucky to become a nurse.  Donette lived on campus and lived in the dorm with Mitzie Ralph Fairfield.  The rest is friendship history.  I would drop off  sister Val (a cardiac nurse clinician) at Rush St Luke's everyday at 6:30am everyday in time for rounds, then make my way to Donette and Mitzie's dorm room until our first class.  I made myself at home, brewing coffee, smoking Benson and Hedges, and getting in last minute studying while they woke up, showered and got dressed. We learned alot during those formative years in our early 20's, not just about nursing.  We were in our  psychiatric rotation, our last clinical before graduating in 1977 , when Donette met Dr. Jesus Sanchez, one of the attending at the Chicago VA Hospital.   I think Donette fell madly in love with Jesus because she moved to San Diego to be with him a few years after graduation.  Donette, Mitzie and I managed to stay in touch over the years despite the miles. We could just pick up where we left off no matter how many years had passed.  Most recently we met in Chicago for a weekend, and took the el to Wrigley Field to cheer the Cubs to their World Series win.  She sent me a birthday card in February.  Then I got a call from Mitzie  with the news of her passing.  I share these memories with you to say how much we loved Donette and how we will miss her.  Her heart was so full of love for her family- Jesus and Christopher.  I feel your loss and I miss my dear friend.

I worked with Donette for a few years at KP. She was a wonderful NP who really cared about her patients and always gave each one her undivided attention. I remember commiserating with her about some difficult chronic patients who she would angst about and I used to tell her “you can’t care more about the patient than they do about themselves” but that was Donette, a beautiful soul who was excellent at her job. She always talked about her son and how proud she was of him and his photo was proudly displayed prominently in her office. I remember meeting her and her son at kp when he was volunteering, it was so nice to see her after she retired.  She always had a kind word and a sweet smile. She will be missed. 

Every time I would run into Donette, she had the warmest smile and would greet me with a big hug. We were both thrilled when you, Christopher, and my son Jonah were enrolled at Cal at the same time.    She was a devoted mom and it showed. I will always remember her kindness, thoughtfulness and strength.  

I hope in time your memories of your mom bring you comfort.  She was truly one of a kind. 

Jesus and Christopher my thoughts and prayers to you both. I so enjoyed my friendship with Donette. She was the sweetest lady. I will treasure our morning walks with Tucker. I’m so grateful that I was able to spend time with her before she passed. 
Janice Goehring

It was my pleasure and honor to have worked with Donnette as a friend and colleague at Mercy Hospital.  We kept in touch through Facebook and followed our career and family news for many years.  Her husband and son were her source of joy.  My sympathy and caring are now extended to her family.  Please know that  her spirit of kindness and professional excellence are something I will  always  remember and treasure.

OBITUARY

Donette Beth Nelson

September 3, 1955 – June 16, 2021

Funeraria del Angel Chula Vista

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