Donna Joyce Harris

Donna Joyce Harris
March 3, 1930 - December 18, 2019

Donna Joyce Harris (nee Nicholas), 89, of Spring Valley, California, passed away at Sungarden Terrace in Lemon Grove on December 18, 2019. Donna was born on March 3, 1930, in Miller Missouri, the daughter of Donovan and Mary Nicholas. She married her soul mate, James L. Harris, on December 10, 1946.

She worked as a waitress, cashier, and later a caregiver to the elderly when she retired at the age 65. Her greatest pleasure was always family and friends. She never refused a chance to enjoy grandchildren and great grandchildren and traveled annually to Hawaii for that sole purpose. She loved cooking, dancing, sewing and many other social activities. Even at a young age, she practiced yoga and later Tai Chi at the Rec Center in La Mesa. All through life she provided her family with support in any way she could.

Donna was born with a kind soul and a tender heart. She was the sweetest person you would ever want to meet.

She will deeply be missed by her family who loved her dearly; daughter Victoria Sailers and her husband Don Sailers of Spring Valley, daughters-in-law Charlene and Judy Harris. She is further survived by her loving grandchildren, Cynthia Sailers, Eric Sailers and his wife Kelly Sailers, Charity Harris, Mike Plecas, James Harris and sisters Jole and Jeanette; her great grandchildren Levi and Jack Sailers, Max Ostrowski, and Sadie Harris; her brother Adrian Nicholas and sister Edna Obenauf; including many nieces and nephews, whom she took great interest throughout their lives.
She was preceded in death by her husband James and sons Ronald and Donnie, her parents Donovan and Mary, her brothers Mark Paul, Linn and Edward, and sisters Paula Dunn, Noema Mcgiff and Elsie Wegner.

There will be a short ceremony at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on January 10, 2020 at 10:30am, in which we will witness the placement of her ashes. Following the ceremony at 12 noon, there will be a Celebration of Life at the family residence.

Please contact the family for further information.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating, in her honor, to St. Jude Hospital for the many good works they do.

We would like to remember the loving, caring people at Sungarden Terrace who continuously helped Donna but also made sure the family had the support they needed. And also Hospice, who gave total attention so that Donna could pass in peace.