Donna was born September 13, 1931 in Buena Park, California and died November 11, 2023 in Bishop, California. She was 92.

Donna grew up in Buena Park, Orange County. She and her twin brother, Donald, were the youngest of nine children. Both of her parents worked in the citrus industry. Her father making the boxes and her mother packing them. Donna’s first job was at Knott’s Berry Farm when at a very young age she followed her older brothers and sisters to pick berries. She worked her way up to Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant, first as a junior hostess, and then as a waitress through high school and junior college. She also worked in the packing houses during the summer packing fruit.

Donna graduated from Fullerton High School in 1949 and attended Fullerton Junior College. When she married her high school sweetheart Robert Wellington Langford on April 2, 1950, they both were employed at Knott’s. Donna and Bob were married for almost 56 years. Bob preceded her in death on January 17th, 2006.

Bob & Donna spent their first 15 years of marriage in Fullerton, raising their family and spending as much time as possible at their favorite place, the beach. In 1965 they moved to Simi Valley. On Nov. 14, 1971 they purchased the Starlite Motel in Bishop. While helping run the motel Donna also worked at Chalfant Press. Later, after selling the motel she waitressed at Sportsman’s Restaurant, Huck Finn’s Restaurant, and Denny’s Restaurant.

In 1985, with all their children grown, Donna & Bob returned to Southern California, moving to San Clemente. There they again enjoyed the warmth and beauty of the beach and opened their home to the rest of the family, so, they could, too. Ultimately, they returned to Bishop in 1995 to be close to their family.

Donna was very artistic and loved putting together an outfit, decorating and landscaping her homes and creating beautiful things.

Donna will be remembered by her family for her unconditional love and support. Her family was her greatest love and enjoyment, nothing was more important.

Donna is survived by her children Mark and JoEllen Langford, Lorrie and Harvey Chase, Lisa and Rod Swanson, all of Bishop; Danny and Vici Langford of Lancaster; grandchildren Alan and Kristen Swanson, Andy and Sarah Swanson, Laurin (Langford) and Mikee Lee, Amy (Chase) and Chad Moulton, Katie (Hart) and Chad Galvin, Tyler and Stacy Hart, James and Jessica Chase, Ashley (Langford) and Dana Singleton, Jerred and Irene Langford; great grandchildren, Leah and Walker Galvin, Kallie and Austin Moulton, Caydence and Royce Chase, Sidney Hood, Fiona, Avery and Darby Swanson, Lane, Grant and Tatum Swanson, Blake, Aidan, and Tristin Lee, Charlie and Rylee Singleton and Dalilah and Jace Langford: great great grandson Redding Hewitt.


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