Donna Saeman

Donnette Josephine Robbins was born on February 14, 1936 to Seymore Kenneth Robbins and Marion Kesler in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was raised with her two brothers, Kay and Ralph, who she loved dearly and saw as her exemplary role models. She attended Brigham Young University where she graduated with a degree in Elementry Education. Following graduation, Donna traveled overseas to teach abroad in Morocco and then England. From there, she moved to Los Angeles to live with Aunt Nancy and Uncle Henry, where she accepted a teaching position in Compton, California. Teaching would play a significant role in Donna's life as she would go on to give 40 years to the Los Angeles Unified School District, teaching well over 1200 students. Not only was she a dedicated teacher but also a dedicated mother raising her two children, Anitra and Steve, while working full time.

Donna spent her spare time building out her dream home in West Hills and loved visiting with her children and grandchildren. She had a deep passion for gardening and was blessed with a green thumb. Following retirement, Donna was genuinely always on the go and enjoyed traveling. After 40 years in Los Angeles, she moved back to her roots in Utah and settled in Cedar Hills where she reconnected with family and enjoyed all of the nature that Utah had to offer, including climbing the Mount Timpanogas caves at age 73! From her younger days and right up to the end, Donna valued having an extremely active and healthy lifestyle. Regardless of her age, she made sure to go on a walk every night and was always up for new adventures.

Nothing slowed her down, even with her cancer diagnosis at age 84. When she was diagnosed, she took the attitude of continuing to live out her best life and not have any negative feelings towards it, as she knew time was precious. Through radiation, and several rounds of chemo, Donna still made sure to live life to the fullest. Her last year with us was spent flying across the globe to Dubai where she rode camels, went off-roading in the sand dunes, and drank tea in the tallest building in the world. Just a couple months before her passing, she made it to Cabo San Lucas for one last adventure. Even in her toughest of times, she never said no as she wanted to experience everything life had to offer.

If there's one thing to remember Donna by, the people that loved her most would agree, it was her resilience. There was no challenge in her life that she could not overcome. From losing her mother at a young age, a difficult marriage, raising two children on her own, working in tough conditions or beating cancer, she faced every single thing head on. And her strong faith and devotion to God carried her through.

Donna Jo. Daughter, mother, sister, grandma, teacher, friend but most importantly to so many, an inspiration...you'll be gravely missed as you have impacted so many lives. Your legacy continues.

If you'd like to attend Donna's service virtually, please participate through the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89628463166