Donna Marie Mark
Donna passed away suddenly, but peacefully in her sleep on December 13, 2024. She was a native of Goleta. Donna attended La Patera Elementary School, Goleta Valley Junior High School, Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara Community College, and UC Santa Barbara, graduating with a degree in Political Science.
Donna started her life living in Isla Vista during the latter 1960’s. She was the youngest of four children by John Mark and Shirley Mark (nee Zayhan). Goleta and Isla Vista beaches and the Dos Pueblos High School and UCSB pools were frequented regularly by the family. Following in the swim strokes of her siblings Bob, Laurel, and Evelyn, Donna became a swimmer and competed on the Dos Pueblos Swim Team.
During her college years she traveled extensively in Europe, China, and Japan. She studied German and Japanese languages in college. Donna had a varied work career, she did some modeling, was a radio DJ, a delivery driver, and for the past 18 years worked at the Goleta Home Depot. Her main mode of transportation was a bicycle which allowed her to enjoy the outdoors.
Donna is survived by her brother Bob Mark, sister Laurel Heaton (Ken), sister Evelyn Metten; her aunt Muriel Mark, and cousins Eileen Condron (Mark), Gail Meinhold (Frank), Loreen Washburn (Ned); and nieces Amanda Nungaray (Cesar), Kayla Mark (Fielding), Tahnia Mark, Lindsay Castillo, Chelsea Heaton; and nephews Parker Wright, Jayson Wright (Megan), and Spencer Heaton (Emily). She is also survived by several 2nd and 3rd cousins.
Donna was predeceased by both sets of grandparents Arthur and Adele Mark, and Michael (Max) and Helen Zayhan; her parents John and Shirley Mark, her uncle Richard Mark, her aunt Lorraine Delgado (nee Zayhan), her uncle David Zayhan, her cousin Loren Mark, and her brother-in-law John Metten.
A memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday January 28, 2025, at 2pm at Stow Park, Area C.
Donna enjoyed the outdoors, especially the beach. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to support the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History or the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum in Donna’s honor.