Donna S. LaFramboise

Donna Susan LaFramboise passed away peacefully the morning of Monday, November 18th, 2024. Donna was born July 6th, 1948 in New York City to Michael and Beatrice Lombardi and older sister, Madeline. The family later moved to Hicksville on Long Island where she was a devoted member of 4H Club, began studying Spanish at the age of 7, and later attended Hicksville High School.

Donna pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher as a student at State University of New York at Oswego, where she was a member of Iota Xi sorority and studied Spanish as well as Italian. Donna refined her Spanish skills in Madrid, Spain and Puerto Rico, where she studied as well. At Stony Brook University in New York, she earned her Masters of Education and began her teaching career at West Islip High School in Long Island, New York.

In 1970, Donna met Robert LaFramboise at a party of mutual friends. They hit it off and were married February 9, 1974. In the summer of 1975 they drove their big blue Ford Econoline van cross-country to California, camping and staying with friends along the way.

They eventually settled in Santa Ana, California where Bob worked in Aerospace Engineering and Donna taught English as a Second Language and Spanish. They welcomed daughter Sara in 1979 and Darin in 1984 to their family. Donna taught at Lathrop Intermediate, Willard Intermediate, Carr Intermediate, and finally, MacArthur Fundamental Intermediate schools. After teaching for 35 years, Donna retired along with Bob in 2007.

Throughout her life, Donna volunteered at Casa Teresa Home for Women, Friends of the Library, Saint John the Baptist Parish, The Sacred Heart of Jesus Kids Club, and was always present to help those in need. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe but Maui held a special place in her heart.

Donna was dedicated to making holidays special and exciting with extensive decorations, special baked treats, little surprises for loved ones, and amazing meals. She was a devoted and affectionate mother, loving wife, enthusiastic Nonna, and a wonderful friend. Donna was steadfast in her devotion to her Catholic faith and was especially comforted by it throughout her journey with ALS.

Donna is survived by her husband Robert, her children Sara Saadeh (Paul) and Darin LaFramboise (Anne), her sisters, Madeline Nicholson and Laurie Enriquez, many nieces, nephews, and her grandchildren Amelia LaFramboise and Owen Saadeh. She was loved by many and, in her final months, she was surrounded by friends and family who showered her with love, comfort, and stories of their time together and reminiscences the impact she made on their lives.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Donna’s name to the ALS Foundation.

Donna’s kindness, care, faith, and love will live on in our hearts forever.