Doris Jean (Maloney) Donahue
Aka DJ DIVA
Sunrise February 22, 1960 ~ Sunset May 8, 2024

It is with profound sadness and shattered hearts that we announce the passing of Doris Jean Maloney Donahue. She was at home surrounded by family when she made her final journey to the loving arms of her Lord and savior on May 8, 2024.

Doris was born on February 22, 1960, in Hoopa to Ethel Smoker and David Maloney. She was the oldest sister to David Maloney, Jr., and Ruthie Maloney. She grew up on the Hoopa Indian Reservation and was Yurok from the villages, of Terwrep and Weitchpus. She was Navajo from the Edge of Water and Bitter Water Clan as well as a member of the Navajo Nation.

She graduated from Hoopa High School and then traveled to New Mexico to attend cooking school. It was there that she met Larry Curtis and became a mother to her oldest daughter Katie Marie Maloney. She loved to cook and was the head chef at the Maloney family restaurant, Dave’s café in Hoopa. She was known for her cooking and the magic she created in the kitchen from her cinnamon rolls to her Navajo tacos.

She moved to Klamath, and it was there that she met the love of her life, Lafayette Rose Donahue. They were married at the Cathedral Tree wedding site at the Trees of Mystery in Klamath. In 1986, they had their daughter Mah’lon Ashley Rose Donahue.

She loved her father and was always willing to help out in any way, so she moved to Sacramento to help him out with his new restaurant and home detailing business before they moved to Flagstaff, Arizona. It was here that she started her own Ice Cream business and became the “Ice Cream Lady” and with every snow cone order she would say “What’s your flavor”? Her and Dad traveled throughout Arizona, from the Navajo to the Hopi Reservation’s, selling food, ice cream, snow cones and her famous fry bread for Navajo Tacos.

She moved back home to California to be with her mother and children. She lived in Eureka with her sister and helped care for her nephew Sam and mother Ethel. She continued her business ventures and enjoyed going to different arts and craft shows, selling jewelry and Navajo pottery. Every once in a while, throwing down an Indian taco sale. Doris sure did know how to hustle when needed.

She was an avid fisher woman and could be found on the river raising her family. She loved her time with her nephews, nieces and enjoyed being around her family.

You could find her at Trinidad Bingo a few times a week. She so loved her BINGO and was down to go whenever and wherever. While traveling she would stop at the casinos and play whenever she could, she was one lucky lady and would win most of the time.

She is preceded in death by her father, David Maloney, Sr, her husband, Lafayette Rose Donahue; Grand Mother, Dorthey Maloney, Zuni Edgewater (Ta’baahi’), born for bitterwater (To’dich’ii’nii), Her Grandfather Father, Okee Maloney, many goats (Tl’zilani) and red running into the water (ta’chii’nii) clans. Grandmother, Mary Reed Smoker and Grandfather, Sam Smoker and her granddaughter, Alexis Maloney.

She is survived by her brother David Maloney, Jr., sister, Ruthie Maloney and her children Katie Maloney, and Rosie Donahue. Her nieces and nephews, Samuel Nelson, Heather Hammond, David (Bunky) Maloney, III, Erica Williams, and Bridget Dean. Grandchildren Larry Maloney, Dominic Maloney, Zane, Mazy, Opal & Jasper Maloney; Emily Williams, Richard, Keshan, Chegery Dean; Codi, Zabrina & Zayden Hammond.

Thank you to the Hoopa Assembly of God, the Maloney family church, Yurok Tribe, and Pastor Toni Burchard Thank You for officiating the Celebration of Life for Doris Donahue on May 21st, 2024. Pallbearers: Bunky Maloney, Jaspyr Maloney, Larry Maloney, Dominic Maloney, Paul “Ewee” Donahue III, Jake Rodriguez, and Jordan Thomas. Your prayers and love helped us so much during this difficult time.

Humboldt Hospice Thank you for all the support and care that you provided for Doris and her family. No words can express how much you helped us during this difficult time. Your staff, social worker, nurses, and Dr. were so patient, caring and understanding when things were too much for the family. My only wish is that Hospice may extend their services to the out lying rural areas such as Weitchpec and Orleans. Your services are much needed throughout Humboldt County.

Today I will walk out,
Today everything evil will leave me,
I will be as I was before
I will have a cool breeze over my body.
I will have a light a body
I will be happy forever
Nothing will hinder me.

I walk with beauty before me, I walk with beauty behind me, I walk with beauty below me, I walk with beauty above me, I walk with beauty around me, my words will be beautiful

In beauty all day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons may I walk
On the trail marked with pollen may I walk
With dew about my feet may I walk
In old age wondering on a trail of beauty
Lively again may I walk
My words will be beautiful

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Doris Donahue’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.