"I just learned of Donna's passing. My deepest condolences to her family. Donna was my mother's neighbor in North Carolina. We had some wonderful times together....Choral concerts, Easter egg coloring and even hunkered down to ride out a hurricane! She was always upbeat, a beautiful spirit. I feel blessed to have known her. I kept in touch with her when she moved to the Assisted Living Facility in Rhode Island. I learned yesterday of her passing. She lived a long fulfilled life but it is still a loss and very hard. I lit a candle in her honor and have her photo displayed in my home in her memory. May you rest in peace Donna. I love you and you will never be forgotten. "
In loving memory of
Donna Rosalie Loomis
December 20, 1930 - January 26, 2020
Donna Rosalie Loomis, 89, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, passed away on January 26, 2020, in Portsmouth.
Donna was born on December 20, 1930, in Seattle, WA, to the late John Jenkins and the late Daytona Redmond.
She earned her professional Music Education degree from the University of Oregon, as a Soprano, and went on to teach music, as well as sing in the Chorus of Westerly. Her grandson, Jordan has picked up that legacy and is now singing in the Chorus of Westerly as well. Music was always near and dear to her heart, and her children and grandchildren have inherited that love of music.
Donna earned her Masters of Education at The University of Rhode Island, and went on to teach Middle School for over 35 years in South Kingstown. Many of her students were still in touch, and teaching was the love of her life. Since her retirement 25 years ago shes enjoyed a full life of family, friends, reading and travel.
She will be remembered as a great Mom, teacher, Gammy, and great Gigi.
Donna is survived by her children Chace E. Loomis and his wife, Dale of Saunderstown and Lisa Loomis Ashton of Portsmouth, Rhode Island; her grandchildren, Kady Morgan Hall, Reilly Owen Loomis, Jordan Tyler Ashton, Bradley Somerville Loomis, Madison Mae Eufrazio, and her great-granddaughter Sofaa Sage Morgan.
Services for Donna will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Chorus of Westerly George Kent Performance Hall, 119 High Street, Westerly, RI 02891, or https://tickets.chorusofwesterly.org/donations.
Tributes
"Donna was such a joy to know and weshared many days together. She had a such a beautiful smile and was very caring person. Please know she and her family are in my daily thoughts and prayers.Moira MaloneyPortsmouth"
"I'm very sorry to hear this news. I spent so much time at Donna's house while I was growing up - she cooked me many meals and drove us places and taught us singing lessons. But what I remember most of all is that when I was learning how to drive I was such a nervous and terrible driver that my parents couldn't stand to be in the car with me any more. Donna volunteered to help and she spent an entire Saturday afternoon sitting in the passenger seat of her car, crocheting and calmly saying things like, "Whew, that's a little close on the right side!" I don't think I would ever have passed my driving test if she hadn't helped me. Much love to you, Lisa, and the whole family!"
"Mrs. Loomis was my sixth grade teacher at Hazard School. Like many sixth graders, I was kind of a self absorbed, jerky kid. (I apologize for that, and perhaps I have done penance by becoming a schoolteacher myself for 35 years). I have to say that Mrs. Loomis approached each day, and each student, with a smile which Im sure wasnt always easy. She encouraged us to find and pursue individual interests, such as writing. Her positive, upbeat spirit was a bright spot in my education. Lisa, and family, please take care and accept my heartfelt condolences. "
"Donna was one of my wonderful, loved YaYas, a group of us emailing every day, keeping in touch with each other and our various, interesting activities, families, travels, and pursuits. We started teaching about 50 years ago (!!) with my leaving, changing my career to the financial field (retiring last year after 37 years as a stockbroker and all that entails). Our very close group stayed in touch, which was certainly facilitated by the advent of the internet. Donna was smart, accomplished, ambitious, caring and an integral part of the YaYas; she will be incredibly missed and, hopefully, her loving daughter, Lisa, will take over her place in our group, just as Terry Mellor has gladly taken over for her beloved mother, Esther Mellor. RIP, my dear friend. Love, Barbara Kenerson"