Donna Ann Preston
Donna Ann Preston
June 29th, 1942 – August 5th, 2026
*Author’s Note: The following excerpts in our “Life Stories” are from the Celebration of Life service for Donna Preston for you to read, reflect, and pay your respects privately. It was an honor to learn about Donna and to help her family celebrate her wonderful life. Beautiful sentiments and stories were shared by her daughter Lisa, her granddaughter Amber, and her stepson Steven. She will be dearly missed by many.
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Donna was born on June 29, 1942, in Evanston, IL. Donna worked as a Cashier Supervisor in the grocery business for many years, which she took pride in. Her legacy, however, was in obtaining her daycare licensure which allowed her to care for her four grandchildren while her daughter worked.
Donna and Lisa had an unbreakable bond- they were two peas in a pod; Lisa was proud to be able to care for her mom for the past several years, and ultimately, they had so much fun.
Donna was strong-willed and determined- she’d give you “the look” and you knew to not mess with her. But she was the kindest soul, always giving and forgiving, and everyone loved her- even her assisted living caregivers pegged her as their favorite.
Donna gave strength to those around her, and people gravitated toward her beautiful nature. She had an amazing laugh- a laugh with tears coming out of her eyes. Her laugh would make others laugh along with her, and that was something very special about her.
She loved going out to eat- or rather she loved forcing Lisa to take her out to eat. She loved her chocolate milkshakes, crepes with whipped cream, and Russell Stover’s candies. She loved going to casinos, and she loved dancing (a nod to her go-go dancer roots of the 1960s). Above all, Donna loved all of you so very much and she was so well-loved in return.
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There are so many stories to tell and memories to relive. Please share the memories, share the love today and in the days and years to come so that her legacy may endure. May you laugh so hard that your eyes water, go out to eat, and hear Donna’s voice in your head a few times each day saying her signature, “What the shit?” And I pray that all those sweet memories shift from breaking your heart to filling your soul.
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Donna will be forever loved and missed by her daughter Lisa, her 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and many other family members and dear friends.
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May you know in your heart that she is at peace, she is home now in the loving embrace of our Lord in heaven. She is reunited with the many loved ones she had been missing including her parents Charles and Inga, her husband Joseph, her infant daughter Allison, her son Joseph- who just recently went before her in May- he is there to welcome her, and her siblings David, Sandy, and Dolores. She is surrounded by love.
As we reflect on Donna’s 84 years, it may feel like it all went by far too quickly. While no length of time with our loved ones will ever seem long enough, know that it was an absolute blessing to have had Donna present on this earth for over 8 decades. Her time here and her time spent with each of you was a precious gift. When your world is feeling a little too empty, may you fill it with gratitude that your time here overlapped with Donna’s and that you were blessed to know her.
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Donna, may you rest in eternal peace knowing you are dearly loved.
My sincere condolences and love, Holly