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
Stephanie Yun says:
April 10, 2010
Denise,
The obituary for your mom is very touching. Although I didn’t know her, I got a glimpse of the kind of mom you had.
Coleene VanTilburg says:
April 11, 2010
To all the Arroyo family,
The scriptures tell us that “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4.
I am one who has mourned and now I mourn with you, my dear friend and your family. God will surely bring you comfort in many refreshing memories. The harder days will fade quickly and the true spirit that was your mother’s heart will shine brighter. It is truly amazing how it all works. She will be with you, in surprising ways sometimes and in expected ways when you are thinking of her. It’s those surprising ways though, that I cherish because I know God’s Holy Spirit, the Comforter has everything to do with it, telling me how much He knows our sadness and tears, for He has a count of every one. Donnie Arroyo is now at peace, made anew and perfect with God. I thank Him for her youthful faith in her Lord and Savior. The VanTilburg family sends our love and condolences to the Arroyo family
Debbie & Paul says:
April 11, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. We have great memories of your Mom and I can smile because my memories of your Mom, my Dad’s cousin Donnie, she was always laughing and seemed to be having a great time when family was around. Much Love, Debbie & Paul
Donna and Mark Ellis says:
April 11, 2010
We are friends of Diane who wish to give our condolences to the family.
Ellie Bonanno says:
April 11, 2010
Dearest Gus, Steve, Diane, Tom and Denise,
It is with great sadness that I read the obituary. Gus always had a special place in his heart for his little sister. She was so beautiful and had a wonderful laugh! I didn’t realize she had such a green thumb but did know what a great cook she was!
I remember the fun times when we were together, like when we couldn’t find the car in Disney Land and taking you kids horseback riding.
We send our love, thoughts and prayers.