The jubilant and unconditionally loving Donna Theresa Perata gained her wings and passed into God’s grace on January 3, 2016. She passed away at home, loved and surrounded by family.

Donna Teresa Reese was born on May 8th, 1940 at Providence Hospital in Oakland, a city she identified with throughout her life. After her father Arthur “Doc” Reese died unexpectedly when she was 3, Donna was raised by her strong-willed mother Blanche Reese (Cullen).

Donna graduated from St. Elizabeth’s in 1958, where she developed a love for singing, musicals and theatre, and played Lizette in Naughty Marrieta. She met her first husband and mothered three children: Deena, Monica, and Christopher D. After separating from her husband, Donna worked for Southern Pacific Railroad in their San Francisco office on Market Street from 1968 to 1974. While raising her children single-handedly, she fell in love with the charm and pace of the city, and S.F., like Oakland, was always a special place for her.

Donna married our beloved Gino Perata in 1972. For 35 years they loved each other in a relationship that proved a testament to the human spirit. She loved her three new step-children Carolyn, Rick, and Christopher J. and their two families, now one, would go on excursions together. Donna and Gino bought a home in Castro Valley, then gave birth to their one shared son, Peter, in 1974. In 2000, Donna and Gino retired from the Bay Area to Humboldt County where they lived next door to Peter and his wife Julie. In 2008 Gino began to succumb to Alzheimer’s, and Donna vigilantly fought for his care until he passed in 2011.

During the last 5 years of her life Donna became known as “M.G.” (Modern Granny). She experienced a renaissance of independence and became involved in numerous community circles and outreach programs including the Soroptomist Chapter of McKinleyville. She enjoyed performances at Dell’Arte and traveled to Chicago, Paris, Atlanta and Tennessee. She frequently visited her cousin Mary in Scottsdale, Ariz. Although she never attended college, over the past few years Donna delighted in taking classes through HSU’s OLLI program, taught by her son’s professor, Tom Gage. As being a mother preoccupied her earlier years, she was passionate in learning more about the world events that occurred during her lifetime.

Donna firmly believed in doing right by your kids and raising them right. She witnessed all of her children and grandchildren lead successful and happy lives. She loved underdogs, and was a fierce supporter of women’s rights, social progressivism and improving our future. She helped and identified with people who were struggling or in need, especially single mothers. She was a Catholic who attended mass every Sunday, and encouraged others to find their own sense of spirituality. While Donna never met a stranger, she never met many orphans either. She often proved herself as a surrogate parent for the friends of her children, and many beyond family called her Mom. If you knew her, you never went hungry (even if you weren’t), and you always had a place to stay. She was incredibly easy to talk to.

She could masterfully feed a barracks; yet, while everyone loved her food, her humility made her hate her own cooking. She had a deep love and understanding of her Irish ancestry. She loved all genres of music, with a proclivity toward Honky Tonk. She loved the performing arts, whether it was a play at Dell’Arte, an opera in the city or a high school musical. Donna was an avid Raiders fan, and she also rooted for the 49ers and Notre Dame. A true spitfire who grew younger as she aged, she still rode roller coasters and had recently added skydiving to her bucket list. She loved to laugh and believed humor was the best medicine. She had a rare, feisty, unbreakable spirit that helped others to “keep on keepin’ on.” Though a petite lady, Donna’s arms embraced the world. Her immense heart will always be with us.

She is survived by her children: Deena Burton (wife of Kurt), Monica Benham (wife of Jim), Chris D. Perata, and Peter Perata (husband of Julie); her stepchildren Carolyn, Rick, and Chris J. Perata; her grandchildren Tony (fiancée of Frankie), Gregg (Husband of Sarah), Holly (Wife of Michael), Adonna, and William (Husband of Isabel); her great-grandchildren Jaxen, Dalton, Wyatt, Arlen, Peyton, Declan, Liam and Charlotte; sister-in-law Marge Perata; cousins Mary Brack and Mary Lou; nephews Mike, Greg, and Pat Walenter, nieces Vicki Walenter and Sheri Silineri (Wife of Wes), grand-niece Heather Kary; friend Bill W.; and dog Cha-Cha and many other grand nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Donna’s Life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 16th at Christ the King Church, 1951 McKinleyville Ave., McKinleyville at 11:00 am. Donations may be given to The American Cancer Society or to The Sheriff’s Animal Shelter, 980 Lycoming, McKinleyville, 95519.

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The obituary above was submitted by Donna Perata’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.