Minnie Donnie Mary Arroyo
April 14, 1928 - March 30, 2010
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Minnie Donnie Mary Arroyo
April 14, 1928 - March 30, 2010
Obituary
Our mother, Donnie Arroyo, age 81 of San Clemente, CA died Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at Coastline Community Hospital in Santa Ana, CA.
Donnie was born Minnie Mary Bonanno on April 14, 1928 in Queens, New York of Sicilian parents. She grew up in New York State with her many cousins, aunts & uncles; proud of her Italian roots and with a strong faith in God and her Catholic upbringing. After high school she moved with her parents to California where she attended business college and met our dad. They were married on December 30, 1950 at Holy Angels Church in Arcadia, CA. She lived a simple, frugal life devoted to her husband, Gus and her four children, Steve, Diane, Tom and Denise.
Our mother’s greatest love in her early years was our many family camping trips to Yosemite & Sequoia National Parks, El Capitan State Beach, and King’s Canyon; tent camping under the stars, firing up the Coleman stove with something wonderful cooking & just enjoying nature around us. In her mid-years, she & our dad enjoyed taking off in their small camper to Huntington Beach State Park on the southern California coast where they shared many camp fires with family & friends.
Mom was devoted to her family and took pride in her flavorful cooking and amazing baking. Every holiday celebration was made special by the meals she prepared and the baking that came out of her oven. We all looked forward to her ?mile high? apple pie and the many varieties of Christmas cookies, especially her snowballs!
She loved her potted plants which she kept all over their home; she had such a green thumb that she could bring any twig back to life and to full bloom. Pansies and African Violets were her favorites. She loved her crafts also and could ?doodle? for many hours with her little projects and create all kinds of inventive treasures.
Donnie is survived by her husband of 59 years, Gus, her eldest son, Steve, and his boys Justin, Brandon and Darren; her eldest daughter, Diane and her husband David; her middle son, Tom and her youngest daughter Denise, her husband Jerry and granddaughter Makaela.
The pain and suffering is behind her now and she is at peace in heaven with our Lord. We love you, Mom; you will be greatly missed by us all!
39 responses to Minnie Donnie Mary Arroyo
David Liberty says:
April 9, 2010
Denise… please know your whole family is in my prayers. God Bless.
Niece/Cousin Lettie says:
April 9, 2010
Dear Uncle Gus and Cousins Steve, Diane, Tom and Denise and family…
My thoughts and prayers are with each of you as your grieve the passing of your lovely wife and mother.Uncle Gus I remember vividly going to your wedding I was only 5 1/2 and dancing with my cousin David. I also remember visiting as each of the children were born and then later seeing some of the 8 mm movies of each of the children…so many Arroyo family gatherings and seeing all of the cousins, Aunts and Uncles. I remember Uncle Gus always having thoughtful words of wisdom as I was growing up.We are all so fortunate to have such wonderful family memories. Take care and know that I will be praying for each of your during this difficult time…Love you all very much…Lysa and Michael also send their thoughts and prayers.
Niece and Cousin Lettie…PS I have been in Salem,OR for three weeks helping my daughter and family welcome my newest little grandson…Judah Joshua Ellis Wilson : :
Peggy Minor says:
April 9, 2010
Dear Gus and Family,
How well I remember the many times Clarence and I visited you all in West Covina! Donnie always made sure we were well fed before our return usually late to Riverside. What happy family memories we all have to share to help get past these sadder times.
Love to all, Peggy
Sandy, Bill, Remi and Christa Sidman says:
April 9, 2010
Denise, Jerry and Makeala,
We are so sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. Our sincerest sympathy to your family.
Sara Lee McKinstry says:
April 9, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Sincerely,
Sara