Donna Daniels

Donna L. Daniels, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025, surrounded by love, at the age of 80.

A resident of Morgan Hill, California, Donna was born in Augusta County, Virginia, on November 19, 1944. She possessed a spirit of adventure and a deep devotion to her family. As a stay-at-home mom to two children, she embraced the joys and challenges of motherhood with grace. Her journey took her across the United States—living in Virginia, New York, Texas, and California—and abroad to Germany, where she enriched her life and perspective as a proud military spouse.

Beyond her role as a mother, Donna found joy in cooking and baking and later worked in the cafeteria at Great Bridge Elementary. She cherished her role as grandmother and great grandmother most of all. She loved to laugh, shop, watch classic movies, listen to Elvis and country music, kept a pristine home, and read her Bible. She will be remembered for her angelic smile, gentle spirit, and her lifelong dream of one day becoming a movie star.

Donna is survived by her loving husband, William “Danny” Daniels; her children, Gregory Daniels and fiancée Julie Johnson of Florida, and Donna Cerny and husband Mark of California; her grandchildren, Gregory Daniels II and wife Meghan of Virginia, Sydney Holmes and husband Benjamin of Florida, Zachary Cerny and Elias Cerny of California; and her great-grandchildren, Gregory Daniels III and Nora Daniels of Virginia, and Benjamin Holmes Jr. and Mia Holmes of Florida. She is also survived by her brother, Philip Ellinger of Maryland; her sisters, Diane Cole of Maryland, Linda Ellinger and Bonnie Ellinger of West Virginia; and her sister-in-law, Michelle Ellinger of Florida.

Donna was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles Ellinger and Doug Ellinger (and his wife Lola); and her brother-in-law, Gerald Cole.

A celebration of Donna’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), in honor of Donna’s memory and compassionate spirit.