Donna Gail Calahan

Donna Gail Calahan passed away peacefully at her home on February 13, 2025 surrounded by family and friends, in Bullhead City, Arizona at the age of 73. Donna succumbed to the debilitating illness of dementia for several years. She was caring, thoughtful, self-sacrificing and loved very much. She lost her beloved husband Lee Calahan in 2017. They were married for 38 years and did everything together.

Donna was born November 13,1951 in Bakersfield, CA to William and Mable Hunt. William Hunt worked for Southern California Edison and in early life she and her sister Linda, along with Mable and Bill lived on Edison property then relocated to Saticoy company housing, followed by Ventura then eventually Whittier.

She graduated from Whittier High School in 1969 and went on to graduate college from Cal Poly Pomona in Home Economics. She started working for Southern California Edison (SCE) in San Clemente at San Onofre Nuclear Plant as a forklift operator. She went on to marry Buryl Lee Calahan in March 1979 and resided in Pomona, then Yorba Linda CA.

During this time, she transferred to SCE headquarters in Rosemead, CA. Both she and Lee were given an opportunity for job transfers and moved to Bullhead City, AZ in 1991, where they both lived, worked and retired from Southern California Edison Company Mohave Steam Station after 30 years. Donna was a procurement buyer, and her husband Lee also worked at the same facility as a crane operator and maintenance technician.

She and Lee were active and loved water skiing and boating, snow skiing, and enjoy toys such as ATVs, and Sea Doo’s on the river, camping with their dogs, and enjoyed Bluegrass festivals. They enjoyed all areas of traveling and were fortunate to visit Europe and experience travel by train throughout some states.

They both worked on a fantastic replica of the desert and mountains and model railroads in their house. This was their passion. Donna painted murals and was exceptionally talented hand making and painting landscapes depicting the mountains, rivers, and desert, along with many creative scene layouts depicting the old west, ruins, and daily life. She also loved sewing and learned from an early age to make clothes, doll outfits, costumes, and general alterations. Donna was creative with her crafts and often provided them as gifts.

Donna volunteered for a brief time at the local food bank and hospital greeting people and giving guidance. While caring for Lee she made cuddle bears for the children at the hospital because of her love of sewing. Donna loved her pets, dogs and cats, and all animals, but especially had a soft spot for beagles and adopted many dogs from local rescue groups to give them a loving home with her generous heart.

Preceded in death by her husband Lee on April 1, 2017. Donna is survived by her 4 sisters: Linda Ann Oliver of Tehachapi, CA, Patricia Kay Caplis of El Dorado Hills, CA, Pamela Gay Neil of Templeton, CA and Barbara Jean Tomajic of Citrus Heights, CA.

She is preceded in death by one nephew, Sean Caplis of El Dorado Hills, also survived by two nieces; Susan Dack of La Mirada, CA and Melissa Penfield of Dana Point, CA, along with two nephews; Scott Clark of Templeton, CA and Brett Clark of Livermore, CA, four great-nephews and one great-niece.

We are grateful to Desert Hearts Nursing & Home Care for the compassion, companionship, thoughtfulness, and care they provided Donna during her time of need the last two years and to Compassus Hospice as well.

Graveside closed casket service at Desert Lawn Cemetery, Fort Mohave, Arizona, Feb 26th at 12pm noon followed by a reception at Laughlin Ranch Golf Club. As you drive into Desert Lawn, the service will be located near the funeral home on the left side behind a row of hedges.