- Date Of Birth: December 3, 1937
- Date Of Death: July 16, 2022
- State: Idaho
Donna Lee Thometz (Hamilton)
Born: Dec 3, 1937. Pocatello, Idaho. Died: July 16, 2022. Boise, Idaho.
Donna was born in Pocatello Idaho, daughter of Jack and Iola Hamilton, descendants of pioneers from Livingston, Montana and Provo, Utah.
Her family relocated to California before WWII. Her early life was spent on a chicken ranch with olive groves in the San Fernando Valley where she learned the value of hard work during a young age. The family eventually relocated to Newport Beach where they started a seafood restaurant and market. She had fond memories of movie stars or their chefs dropping in during her shifts.
Donna lived a quintessential Southern California life in the 1950s, from beachside clambakes in Laguna Beach and Salt Creek, to horseback riding in fields on bluffs above the ocean. She attended Newport Harbor High where she exceled in numerous activities including student government, volleyball, and song leading. She was admired as a pianist. Her favorite job was when she worked on the Matterhorn in the newly opened Disneyland in Anaheim.
Donna was academically gifted, ultimately using several scholarships to attend UC Berkeley, where she majored in History. She loved her time there, where she and her college friends would venture into San Francisco every weekend. While at Berkeley she met her future husband Joe Thometz.
Joe and Donna wed and moved to Southern California, where they were blessed with 5 of her 6 children (Bob, Rich, Tony, Mike and Lisa. Her sixth child, Shannon, was later born in Boise, Idaho). The family initially lived in Long Beach before relocating to Santa Ana. Donna always made sure to share the wonders of California with the kids by taking them on day trips to Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, San Diego and Palm Springs.
Her family next moved to Chicago when her husband was relocated in his job with IBM. In Chicago, Donna continued her love of the arts and would take her children downtown to experience the Chicago arts and classical music scene.
She spent the remainder of her life in Boise with a number of her children and grandchildren She showcased her talents as an accomplished pianist and writer with not only her children but many others, including the residents and staff at her retirement community.
Donna left this earth on July 16, 2022. Her children are comforted by their faith that Donna is in Heaven, and has found peace and happiness and is no longer suffering.
She is survived by her six children and numerous grandchildren, (and former spouse Joe Thometz).
