Donadina “Dona” Domingo, 92 went to meet her lifetime dancing partner, Ernie, on September 28, 2024, surrounded by family at the home she shared with him for over 50 years in Eureka.
Dona was born December 10, 1931, in Porterville to Luz Hernandez and George V. Cavinta Sr. When Dona was four, she and her sister Frances found themselves in the care of their father and close family after the passing of her mother Luz. Dona worked in the tomato fields with the rest of the family and friends, and in the produce sorting plant with her beloved Auntie Angie. Dona spoke fondly of her “Filipino Gang” of kids that worked and played together, showing she was able to find joy even in hard labor as long as she was with people she loved. Dona was very close to her cousins and sisters: The Fab Five. They would meet annually at Auntie Angie’s house in Porterville to reconnect and relive their “glory days.”
Dona attended St Anne’s school in Porterville until 1941 when the family moved to Oakland. There she attended St. Mary’s school and graduated from Holy Names High School in 1950.
After high school, Dona worked for Edward Brown & Sons Insurance Company in San Francisco. In 1951 she met and married Nestor “Ernie” Domingo and they moved to Oakland where they had their first two daughters, Stephanie (1953) and Lisa (1955).
In 1958 Ernie accepted the Court Reporter job in Crescent City, relocating the family from the big city of Oakland to the quiet north coast in Point Arena. Dona would talk about how the airport would call them to get the weather report, specifically the fog, and how they would watch the whales during their migration. In 1962 Ernie was offered a job in the Humboldt County Municipal Court, which brought them all to Eureka.
The family grew when Dona and Ernie took over the care of her 1 1/2-year-old half-brother George Cavinta, Jr. (J.R.). following the death of his mother in an automobile accident. He was followed by the birth of their third daughter, Teresa (Tere’) in 1968.
Dona worked at the Arcata Justice Court then transferred to the Humboldt County Municipal Court and retired in 1992. Dona & Ernie hit the road as soon as they retired. They loved to travel and visit with family and friends as well as every golf course they could find.
Dona was a Girl Scout leader and a member of the Marine Corps Auxiliary League. She could always be found side by side with Ernie at every event he was involved with: Coast Central Credit Union board member events, Knights of Columbus and all the Filipino parties. If there was a dance floor, that’s where you would find them. She enjoyed knitting, having crafted many blankets, scarves, and baby hats — a testament to the immense love and care she had for those in her life. “Murder She Wrote”, “Days of our Lives” or the Spanish vocals of Vicki Carr would accompany her as she knitted and folded laundry or cleaned, but her most favorite thing was to cook or bake for her family. She loved a full dinner table surrounded by her family enjoying everything she made for them. She even “adopted” family when she included HSU students Ernie met to Sunday dinners.
Dona is preceded in death by Luz Hernandez (mother), George V. Cavinta Sr. (father), Nazario Domingo (father-in-law), Nestor “Ernie” Domingo (husband), Robert Ramos (brother), Carmen Vivid (sister), Lisa Domingo (daughter).
She is survived by her daughter Stephanie Domingo-Russell (Alan) of Cupertino, son George “J.R.” Cavinta (Diana) of Arcata, daughter Teresa Domingo-Chase (Matt) of Eureka.
She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren CJ & Nico (Claire) Russell, Marena Domingo-Young (Dave), Sierra Domingo Cullen, Briana, Georgie, Andrew & Gabby Cavinta; and two great-grandchildren, Wesley and Milo Russell, her sister Frances Rooney, goddaughter Robbin Bankston, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.
Dona was fortunate to have amazing caring friends that the family are eternally gratefully for: Jackie Fleming, Lynn McKenna, Dottie and Jerry Williams, Lupe & Bernie Casarez, Carley May-Schlesinger, Dr. Paul and Kathy Windham, Camille Brown, Carolyn Miller, her rosary group and the wonderful local Filipino community. Her absence will be felt as deeply as the love she shared.
The family would like to thank everyone for all the kindness and heartfelt condolences they have received during this time. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in the memory of Dona to St. Bernard’s Church.
Rosary for Dona will be held Friday, February 28 at 5 p.m. The funeral mass will be Saturday, March 1 at 1 p.m. followed by a reception at the Parish Hall.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dona Domingo’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
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