Donna Maria Beattie Wilson was born June 26, 1932, in Van Nuys, Calif. to Raymond A. and Julia Kehaly Beattie. Donna’s strong faith journey began with her baptism at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Van Nuys. On Sept. 12, 1950, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Cross in South Bend, Ind., and served her community as a liturgist, music director and teacher until Nov. 12, 1968, when she answered a different calling, and returned home to care for her mom. Donna met and then married David Wilson on May 19, 1973. She and Davey moved to Solvang in the early 1980s.
In addition to helping her husband in his business, Donna became involved at the Old Mission Santa Ines, and her commitment to the works of the Capuchin Franciscans grew over the years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Julia, her husband, David and her sister, Bette. Donna is survived by her brother, Raymond, step-children, Peggy Rutledge (Mark), Tina Pulliam (Tim) and Art Wilson (Rachel), loving nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and hearts and souls touched by her gentle, faith filled and encouraging spirit.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at the Old Mission Santa Ines on Friday, Sept. 21, at 3 p.m. Donations may be made in Donna’s name to the Capuchin Franciscan Endowment Fund, 1345 Cortez Ave., Burlingame, CA 94010.
– Loper Funeral Chapel, Directors