Donna Jeanne Winchester's Obituary
Donna Jeanne Beauvais Winchester was born in Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California. A true California girl!
She was born on a Monday morning September 20, 1926, to her parents John and Drucilla (Parker) Beauvais. Mother was part of the Greatest Generation.
Donna, was born in Alhambra while her parents were on vacation in California and also doing some business as they were in Real Estate. She grew up in her younger years in Yuma Arizona and Salt Lake City Utah. Her parents had 2 boys Jack and Charles at that time and one daughter named Edith. Drucilla had had a set of twins but they did not make it. Then Donna came along. She was only 19 months when her mother gave birth to my younger sister Alice who would round out the family.
Donna’s parents traveled quite a bit as my father’s properties were all throughout the southwest. Her mother had a beautiful voice and was asked to sing professionally everywhere.
Quoting from Donna: “I started first grade in Yuma, Arizona (they didn’t have Kindergarten). I also went to school in Crossroads, California and in Salt Lake City, Utah when we lived on Second Avenue. In 1934, I was baptized in the Salt Lake Tabernacle as I was eight years old. Edith and Charles were baptized too but Alice was too young, and Jack was still in Yuma. Later we moved to Oakland, California where we finished our high schooling at Technical High School where I also sang in the Acapella Choir for many events.
My Mother and Dad had moved to San Diego before I graduated from high school. So my sister Alice and I stayed with my older sister Edith and her husband Henry J. Lyons along with their baby Diann. Henry had enlisted in the U.S. Navy as it was the beginning of WWII. We sure had a houseful!
Soon after graduation I took the Greyhound Bus and moved to San Diego where I lived in a suburb called Encanto with my Mom and Dad. I got a job downtown at the Spreckels Theater as an usherette and later became the head usherette. At that time (1944), people would line up eight abreast and clear around the block to see a movie—they were mostly Sailors and Marines.
I became acquainted with the artist, Mr. Renne, who painted for the Broadway, Tower, Balboa, Hollywood Burlesque and Spreckels theaters. He also did sign work for a lot of people with downtown businesses. I worked for him for over two years, painting pictorials of movie starts, drawing signs, and lettering. For the Burlesque House we had a big warehouse on Market Street where we painted stage sets that were fourteen feet high. We even painted chairs and furniture and put glitter on them. This actually prepared me later on for the Road Shows at Church where we always received the award for best scenery.
I met Bud while working for Mr. Renne and they were jealous of each other, so I quit the day after I got married. I continued to do art and even some freelancing for Walker Scott Department Store, among others.
While Kathleen was small I learned to drive a car. Before that I went everywhere on the bus with the kids—what a chore!
Later I took a class in cake decorating and I liked it. I learned to do wedding cakes on my own, and year’s later arthritis crept in and hindered my squeezing the bags of icing.
I raised my children in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I had many different volunteer positions in the church such as Primary teacher to 3 year olds, Choir Director, Music Librarian, Music Director, and Stake Music Director. Music has always brought me great joy.
I worked for a time in the late 1960’s at Winchell Donuts the early morning shift. Then I worked for Yolan and Danny McDaniels at the Balboa Music Store which was a wonderful time as I was around other musicians.
A few years later I worked for International Graphics who after a short time merged with Moore Data Management Services. I worked for them over 13 years. I retired. Later I was diagnosed with a heart condition and other problems. Thank goodness my medical coverage at work continued. Now I had time for my music, sewing, embroidery, painting and my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
Donna decided to volunteer her time at the San Diego Temple after it opened in 1993 and worked as a seamstress mending items within the Temple. She also, at the request of her daughter Kathleen, drew the San Diego Temple which has been used by many people in the church to decorate their homes. She has since drawn other Temples to add to her portfolio.
Donna loved spending time with the love of her life. She lost her husband William Anton “Bud” Winchester on November 30,
- They spent over 70 years together. Her husband, parents, all siblings, and her in-laws have all preceded her in death.
She has 4 children, Jeanne, Bill (Jackie), Kathleen and Jon (Gina). She also leaves behind 8 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and a multitude of nieces and nephews scattered across the U.S.
Donna loved family history especially finding new relatives in her line. She joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers 20 years ago to honor her pioneer ancestor – Joshua Parker. Over 12 years ago she joined the San Diego Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution to honor her ancestor Vital Beauvais, his wife Felicite Janis Beauvais and her father Captain Nicholas Janis. She loved honoring her ancestors and loved finding out about them and their place in history.
She was a musician and an Artist in the purest of form.
A real perfectionist in all that she set out to do. She was a quiet but wise soul. She was a human lie detector too. She had a keen sense of humor. She was always kind and good hearted to all that she came in contact with and smiled at everyone to make them feel welcome! She will be missed by all!
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