Donna Maria Lucius' Obituary
Donna Maria Lucius, age 60
January 29, 1964 – September 27, 2024
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Donna Maria Lucius, age 60, early morning on September 27th. After a long and brave fight with pancreatic cancer, Donna passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones.
Donna was born in Norwich, England. She spent her childhood between England, Germany, Holland, and the United States, moving back and forth across states and countries. At the age of 18, she returned to the U.S. with family friends and began a life filled with rich experiences, eventually settling in Colorado and Utah.
A true entrepreneur, Donna was eclectic and ambitious in her pursuits. She embraced every opportunity to create and teach, building a variety of businesses that ranged from custom print ties to quilting, embroidery, and much more. Donna’s passion for education shone through when she developed a phonics-based reading program, which helped hundreds of children, including her own and her grandchildren. She also ran a successful preschool out of her home for many years, enriching the lives of countless children.
Crafting was more than a hobby for Donna—it was a way of life. Her basement could rival a Hobby Lobby, filled with materials and projects that she shared generously with her children, grandchildren, and close friends. Whether it was quilting, scrapbooking, or embroidery, Donna passed on her love of crafts, leaving a lasting legacy of creativity and skill.
Donna was deeply devoted to her family and her faith. She is proceeded by her dad, William (Bill) Gamboa, who adopted her when she was 9. She is survived by her loving husband, Alan, and her seven children: Krystal, Chris, Chelsea, Ashley, Karissa, Destiny, and Gracee-Mae, along with 15 cherished grandchildren (with number 16 on the way). She is also survived by her mother, Dianne, and her siblings Julie, Tracey, and Darren, as well as her adopted siblings Matthew, Karen, Johnny, Petey, Jaden, and Callie. Donna was a fun-loving, caring, and strong woman, admired by all who knew her, and a beloved member of her LDS church community.
To honor Donna’s life and the many friends and family who loved her across states, we will be holding two Celebrations of Life:
Utah Celebration of Life: October 19, 2024, at 11am-12:30pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, 10115 S Yorkshire Dr, South Jordan, UT 84009.
Colorado Celebration of Life: November 9, 2024, at 11am-12:30pm, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, 6465 W Jewell Ave, Lakewood, CO 80232.
Our family is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. For those who wish to contribute, a GoFundMe has been set up to assist with funeral costs, travel expenses, and related needs.
Donna will be remembered for her boundless creativity, her unwavering faith, and her dedication to her family. She touched the lives of so many and will be deeply missed.
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