Donna Mae Dericks Ackley's Obituary
Donna Mae Dericks Ackley passed away on March 30th, 2022, at her daughter's home in Lehi, UT. She was surrounded by love and family in her final days and she was unafraid of what awaited her after death. Donna Mae was born to loving parents on August 27th, 1935 in Los Angeles, CA. She was the youngest of five children. Donna's parents, John William Hubert Dericks and Vivian Helmina Johnson, were hard working and joyful. Though money was often tight and resources scarce, they were generous people who enjoyed the company of others. Donna learned from a young age that money doesn't bring happiness, but the love we give and receive is what makes life rich. Donna was particularly close with her mother and two of her older sisters, Hazel and Gladys. These women could reach great volumes of laughter and Donna's progeny remember the sound of her joy, first and foremost.
Donna married her first husband, Fred Carter, at age 17. They had three children together: Teri, Scott, and Tina. Donna recalls that in those early years of mothering, her mother would come on the weekends and she and Vivian would laugh, cook, and play with the babies all weekend long, often spending their days at Huntington Beach. Some years after Fred and Donna divorced, Donna met and married the love of her life, Jim Ackley. They shared a closeness and love admired by many. Donna's grandchildren knew her warm and happy presence in their childhoods and cultivated rich and meaningful relationships with her in adulthood. Her love and gentle influence for good will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Donna is preceded in death by her daughter, Tina and her step-son Mark. She is survived by her dear husband, Jim; her daughter, Teri (Rick) Williams; her son, Scott (Marilyn) Carter; her step-son Bob (Lisa) Ackley; and her 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Donna was not afraid of death; indeed she just knew that her dear mother, sisters, and beloved daughter would be waiting for her on the other side. Her surviving loved ones imagine with smiles (and longing) the great peals of laughter that will follow her reunion with those great women.
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