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Obituary for Donna Jean Lockwood
Donna was born August 10, 1929, the 4th child of Clarence and Marcia Miller, on a farm in northwestern Nebraska. We often hear people say that someone is beautiful inside and out, and that was certainly true of Donna. She experienced many hardships in her life, but never lost her positive attitude. Her father died in 1942 leaving her mother a widow with eight children and the ninth on the way. Her mother moved the family to Englewood, Colorado in 1944 when Donna was 14. She, and her siblings that were old enough, got after-school jobs to help support the family. She modeled in her teens and was a finalist in the Miss Colorado pageant in 1947. In 1948 she married Kenneth D. Arnold. They had a son (Steve) and daughter (Kathleen) and were off to a good start until Kenny died leaving her a widow at 28. She went back to school and got three degrees (a bachelor and two masters). She taught Special Education at Isaac Newton Middle School in Littleton for 18 years.
Donna remarried Richard D. Lockwood (Scotty) at 32 and acquired two more daughters (Terri Ellen and Valerie). In addition to her own children she opened her heart and home to several other young people who considered her a mom and grandma. She was a role model to many. They can attest to the fact that they are better people because of her example.
Gardening was her passion. She apparently inherited the agricultural gene. Donna became a Master Gardener. She volunteered at the Chatfield Arboretum and Hudson Gardens. Even in her late 80’s you would find her in her garden gloves with a watering can in one hand and a dandelion digger in the other. She took great pride in maintaining her beautiful, big yard and garden on the hill.
Donna was a social person. She kept in touch with her high school friends throughout the years. She attended the reunions and every few months would meet for lunch with a group of friends from Englewood High. She was a charter member of the Mile High Church of Religious Science. When the church was first created in a store front in Edgewater, Colorado, she and her young family (consisting of son Steve, daughter Kathleen, and 16-year-old sister, Marguerite) would attend church on Sunday and then go to her cabin for the day. Among her special relationships were members of the book club which she participated in for 18 years. She hated to miss a meeting. Even if the current book wasn’t her favorite, she loved the companionship.
She loved her family and was never happier than when she hosted a big family gathering, whether it was in her lovely home or at her mountain cabin. She was always there for her family and friends when anyone needed anything. She is much missed and will continue to be so.
Donna was preceded in death by: her parents; her first husband, Kenneth D. Arnold; her siblings: Alice Breeden, Douglas (Beth, still living) Miller, Mona (Ed, still living) Nani, and Fred (Barbara) Miller; her second husband, Richard D. Lockwood; and her beautiful daughter, Kathleen (Joseph, still living) Pascoe who died of breast cancer in 1999.
She is survived by: her siblings: Nancy (Elmer) Horner, Norris (Pat, deceased) Miller, Lila (Bob deceased) Stevens, and Marguerite (Jim) Valdez; her children: Steve (Jackie Carey, Partner) Arnold, Terri (Terry) Dover, and Valerie (Gary, deceased) Konopka; her grandchildren: Jeannette (Waleed) Bahouth; John (Laura) Pascoe, Julie (Rich) Corbett, Glenn (Teresa) Fletcher, David (Christian) Fletcher, and Carl Konopka; 8 great-grandchildren, several “foster” children and grandchildren that she loved and cared for over the years, and many nieces, nephews, great-nephews and nieces who loved her and will miss her terribly.
A memorial ceremony celebrating Donna’s life will take place in the future.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish, please donate to the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, The Denver Dumb Friends League, or the charity of your choice.
