Donna L. Botts

Donna Lee Botts (Gonda)

Donna entered eternal life peacefully after a brief battle with cancer on May 17, 2023 comforted by her children, husband, and siblings.

Donna is survived by her husband, James Michael Botts; Children, Erin Kathleen Botts, Fort Worth, Texas, Timothy Daniel Botts (Valorie Lockwood), Sandwich, Illinois, Christine Natalie (Michael) Jump, Mount Zion, Illinois; Brothers, Robert (Joanne) Gonda, Daniel (Sandy) Gonda, and sister, Sharon (Patrick) McDonald; Grandchildren, Adrianna, Dwight, and Laramie Jump, and Katie Lockwood.

Preceded in death by her parents Matthew and Margaret Gonda and pre-born son, Thomas.

Donna was born on April 22, 1948, attended Chaney Grade School Crest Hill and Lockport West High School, Joliet Junior College, and received her Education Degree at Illinois State University where she met her husband Michael and they were married on June 10, 1972 at St. Annes Catholic Church in Crest Hill, Illinois. Donna received her Masters Degree in Reading from Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University. Donna taught elementary school for ten years before starting a family. After some time off to raise three children, Donna was employed by Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church as Director of Religious Education for 28 years. Donna coordinated the religious education of countless children, started adult classes and many prayer groups.

Donna participated in Chaney Girls with old friends and Forever Young Girls with newer friends in Sandwich. For the past 17 years, Donna was a Speech Coach at Sandwich High School, helping students hone their speaking skills and confidence in themselves, which she dearly loved. She loved working on her 160 year old home with her husband of 50 years.

Donna never stopped learning and growing. The past year, Donna was developing a curriculum of advice for students studying to be teachers. Two of her favorite quotes were: “As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has - or ever will have - something inside that is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression.” Fred Rogers.

And: “If ever there is a tomorrow when we’re not together, there is something you must always remember, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart, I’ll always be with you.” Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne.

Goodbye for now, trusted friend, beloved companion, nurturing Mother, comforting Grand Mother, and community jewel.

A visitation will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023 from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Beverage Family Funeral Home, 104 Terry St. Sandwich, IL 60548. A funeral mass will take place next day, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 340 W. Arnold St. Sandwich, IL 60548. Interment will follow out to St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in Sandwich. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Beverage Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.beveragefamilyfh.com