The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

We mourn the passing of Donna Elaine Gann van der Stucken, 57 of Orange. Donna’s life ended suddenly Thursday, Feb. 27, at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. She went to sleep peacefully and with dignity, surrounded by her family and friends and is now awaiting the resurrection at Jesus’ command (Job 14:13-15).

Donna was born Dec., 11, 1956 in Orange, to Donald Gann and Frances Elaine Landreth. She spent much of her childhood traveling the country as an Army brat. She was a natural-born artist and even drew many signs for businesses in Southeast Texas. Donna lived life with the same intensity with which she drew; she wanted to experience and share it all.

Those who knew Donna loved her and remember her as a generous, tender-hearted person who loved animals, the beach, playing pool, dancing and music, especially blues and zydeco.

Donna was a very outgoing person, and always the first to welcome new people to the neighborhood with a pie.

Her patience was evident in the fact that she was with Rick for 31 years, he was her world.

An example of Donna’s personality, is her wanting to include in her obituary that she knew Diet Dr.

Pepper was bad for her, but loved it and drank it anyway.

This way she can have the last word with those who kept telling her it was bad for her.

We will forever miss her presence in our lives, but are comforted by the words of Emily Dickinson, “Unable are the loved to die.

For love is immortality.”

Donna was preceded in death by her mother and father, and brothers Guy Lynn Gann and Scott Allen Gann.

Survivors include her husband Rick, and son Austin van der Stucken, both of Orange; daughter Kelly Trahan Moore of Mauriceville; sisters Kimberly Gann Harrison of Fort Worth, and Lisa Gann Phelan and husband Jim of Willow Springs, Mo; and brother Jeffrey Doss Gann and wife Jan of Durango, Co, and three nieces, and one nephew.

Donna was a member of the East Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. A memorial will be held at the Kingdom Hall (7841 Highway 87 in Orange), Saturday, March 8, at 2:00 p.m., with a service beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Cremation is being handled under the direction of Dorman Funeral Home in Orange.

Condolences may be expressed for the family at http://www.dormanfuneralhome.com/.