Donna Mary Westbrook

NAME: Donna Westbrook AGE: RESIDENT OF: DATE OF DEATH: OCCUPATION: PLACE OF DEATH: Visalia – Donna Mary Westbrook, 79, of Visalia, died Sunday morning November 22. She was a valued member of the Visalia community. Mom was a strong willed woman who was passionate about her husband, sons, extended family, friends and her community. She was not afraid to give of herself and of her resources to help an individual or cause that needed assistance – and you didn’t even have to ask (not necessarily a good thing). She was a person who had an opinion and was not afraid to share it. My mom would be heard, whether it was from the stands rooting for one of the local high schools or speaking her mind to a sensitive community issue. She was always “all in” and would take a stand, willing to sacrifice all that she had to win what she believed in. She always wanted to be involved. As my brother, his wife, and I were looking into a box of mom’s things the evening after her passing, a box that could have been easily neglected for weeks having been in Ron’s garage, Karen found a note from my mom. It was a note addressed to Ron and me containing her own “obit”. She had written it 9-16-04 and had gone back in 2006 and made revisions. To quote Ron it was “spooky”. That was mom – wanting it done her way. While living in New York, I finished a book that I had written about my dad. I sent it to mom for her to read and comment. Every other hour she would call me telling me to change this or that. Finally after getting some rest, my phone rang at about 6:00 AM EST, 3:00 AM on the west coast, with my mom in tears. After she had made all her notes, corrections, and additions, she just sat down and read the book straight through. She called to tell me, and I’d quote her directly if it didn’t test the 3rd Commandment, not to change a word! The following are the words that my mother wrote to sum up her life. To honor her, I have not made any changes - I have only made some slight additions that I know she would have made had she known they had occurred. She was born August 10, 1936 to Orvia Mitchell Sinor and John D. Sinor in Phoenix, Arizona. The family moved to Eugene, Oregon prior to World War II. They then moved to Sacramento, California where Donna attended St. Joseph’s Academy from 1st thru 9th grade. After the move from Sacramento, Donna attended San Joaquin Memorial High School in Fresno and graduated with the class of 1954. Donna then moved to Visalia in 1964. She married Donald W. Westbrook in 1967. She and Don raised their two sons Tony and Ronny Westbrook in Visalia. Don and Donna kept busy while the boys attended George McCann School. Don established his CPA firm. Donna worked for the firm, however both she and Don took an active part in the boys activities right down to putting a sign on the door saying, “Closed – gone to children’s game.” Not one Client ever complained! Donna was a Life Member of the Kaweah Delta Hospital Guild, serving as President in 1978. She also was a volunteer religious education teacher for 29 years, a member of the Women of the Moose, the P.E.O. and the Visalia Country Club. She was awarded a Karl Weiss Fellowship from the Rotary Club, and was a member of the Good News Center Board for 18 years. Her grandchildren were very precious to Donna and babysitting was one of her favorite past times along with attending their school activities whenever possible. She was known as their “G-ma”. Donna had two siblings, John D. Sinor Jr. and Bernard R. Sinor. Donna was predeceased by Don, her parents, and her brothers John and Bernie Sinor. She is survived by her sons; Tony, his wife Stacie and their children Maura and Gavin, and Ron, his wife Karen and their children Jillian and her husband Jack , Ronald Jr. and his wife Samantha, and Julie, and her two great grandchildren by Jillian, Jack Jr. and Ella. Her brother John’s children, Fr. Michael Sinor, Matthew, Mark, Madeline, and Michelle, and Bern’s children, Teri, John, and Mike. Also surviving are her two half-brothers: Rocky Andresen, and his wife Linda, of Elk City Oklahoma and their children Jill and Jared, and Douglas Andresen, of Yukon Oklahoma and his children Brenda and Josh, plus many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. SURVIVED BY: PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: VISITATION: SERVICES: BURIAL: A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com

Donna Mary Westbrook

August 10, 1936 - November 22, 2015