Donna Marie Edwards

Donna Marie Edwards, age 60, passed away on August 2, 2026, after a long battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia. While her passing leaves an immeasurable void, the life she lived is one worth celebrating.

She was the kind of person that would sit next to you on a porch for hours, a can of caffeine-free Coke in one hand and a cigarette in the other, never acting like there was anywhere in the world that she would rather be. If it was important to you, it was important to Donna. She had a remarkable way of seeing who someone really was and the goodness inside them. Often before they even saw it in themselves. She spent her life reminding people that they mattered. She never judged, freely gave her time, and her encouragement was unwavering. Many will carry that gift with them for the rest of their lives.

She was a collector of books and ideas. A lover of live music. She believed things like this should be shared. Books became better when you had someone to talk about them with and music was better when you could listen with people you love. She loved so many things, but most of all she loved the people around her.

She was always incredibly stubborn. Once she made up her mind, there was very little anyone could do to change it. Somehow, that became one of the things people loved most about her. She managed to hold on to that piece of herself until her very last days. The same determination that carried her through life stayed with her until the very end.

Donna loved so much about the world. She had hope for the goodness that could be found here, and she never stopped looking for it. She had a zeal for life, laughed so hard that her knees would buckle beneath her, snored so loud you could hear her all the way down the hall, dreamed big and made everywhere she went better, just by being there. Above all else, Donna was good. She will be deeply missed by everyone fortunate enough to have known and loved her. She believed in leaving everything better than you found it, and I can confidently say that we are all better having been known and loved by her.

Donna's greatest legacy lives on in those she loved. She is survived by her loving husband, Ernie Edwards; her daughters, Taylor Edwards, Ericka (Amber) Edwards, and Lauren (Tyler) Hill; one granddaughter, Piper Hill.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Linda and Leon Fritschie.

Donna's family extends their extreme gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to everyone at Spiro Nursing Home, Elara Caring Hospice, Grand Brook Memory Care of Rogers, and Circle of Life Hospice. The compassion, kindness, care, and support shown to Donna and her family throughout her journey will never be forgotten. Their dedication and loving care made a meaningful difference in Donna's life and brought comfort to those who loved her.

The celebration of life will be held at The Notus Farmhouse on August 15, 2026 from 1 - 4 PM. We encourage you to not wear black, per her request it is a celebration.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that memorial donations be made to Brain Support Network, P.O. Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026 or at www.brainsupportnetwork.org in Donna's honor.

If you knew Donna, you knew how much she loved books and believed in the power of reading. In her memory, guests are also invited to bring a new or gently loved favorite book. These books will be used to stock Little Free Libraries, continuing Donna's hope that everyone has access to books to read and that reading will inspire curiosity, learning, and a new perspective.