On June 2, 2022 Donna left us unexpectedly in Corcoran, California.
To have known Donna, you would have experienced her many interests, likes and loves in her life.
Born on July 26, 1965 in San Jose, California, Donna never forgot the memories of her hometown. She often spoke of all the good times and family life ‘back in the day’ shared with her dad Sal, mom Cecilia, five sisters Yolanda, Rosalina, Monica, Christina, Blanca and one brother Sal.
Donna made Corcoran her home for over 25 years, making friends along the way, finding the good in people, and enjoying many fun times.
In April 2003, Donna started her employment with Corcoran Mini Storage and continued until June 2022.
Donna held numerous jobs with the company, and was a very trusted employee. Donna was responsible for managing many jobs including consolidating business closures, opening new businesses, facilitating storage auctions, parking lot sales, renovation of housing projects, and even learned to lay tile along the way.
Donna was one of the original crew members in 2014 that helped build, and create Nay’s Western Town and Pumpkin Patch. She was instrumental in making Nay Town a fun and go to place every October.
In 2020, when one of her good friends Lily Garcia passed away, Donna said that we owed it to Lily to open Nay Town, as Lily loved the Pumpkin Patch and never missed a day. So, with her sister Blanca and brother-in-law Manuel, they prepared for the season, opened and operated the whole month of October serving many visitors.
Donna loved the idea of having multiple family groups that shared in her life. Her Corcoran family included her daughter, Valerie Welch, along with her five grandchildren Bryan, Stoney, Marcos, Macs, Celeen; two great grandchildren Malaya, and Laylani; and her youngest daughter Brandi Gonzales and grandson Jayden Lozano completed their family circle. She had too many friends to name, but you know who you are.
Donna’s ‘other family’ included many people from all walks of life. Donna was family to us, and very much loved. Throughout the years, Donna traveled, shopped, dined, attended family events, and stayed in our homes just to hang out. Donna loved good food, music, long hot baths, and lots of yard sales in
Visalia. She was always more than just an employee, she was our friend and loved as our family.
She will be truly missed, and we are so grateful to have known her.
Visitation was held Wednesday, June 15 at Bledsoe Family People’s Funeral Chapel, 1501 Whitley Avenue from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Arrangements were made under the direction of the Bledsoe Family People’s Funeral Chapel.
