Donna Mae Alexander, née Denton, was born June 14, 1942, and passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026, surrounded by all her children and grandchildren.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Donna had a childhood full of curiosity, enjoyed human nature, the outdoors, and fun! Donna attended nursing school and soon after met the love of her life, Thomas Hugh Alexander. They married in 1961 in Concord, Massachusetts, raised four children together, and then in 1976 decided to move the family to Santa Barbara, California. Tom and Donna purchased their first home in Lompoc in 1982, finding it the perfect place to call home and build a life together centered on love, family, and a deep connection with the local community.
For a woman with the kindest heart, it feels unfair that she suffered from heart disease for seven years. Donna had lunches with her retired nurse friends, whom she cherished, and enjoyed crocheting, reading and gardening. She enjoyed the sunshine, birds, bees and butterflies in her yard often, and loved her kind neighbors chatting whenever they saw one another outside. Donna loved to be social, remained actively engaged with her childhood friends and numerous relatives from back east. She was a proud New Englander and loved to reminisce about the love of her life, Tom.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ethel Denton; her sister, Gail Lyford; her beloved husband of 51 years, Tom; and her beloved grandson, Ryan Thomas Gardner. She is survived by her four loving children: Lynne Hargett and her husband Ron; Stephanie Gardner; Thomas Hugh Alexander Jr; and Sandra Alexander. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Nolan Gardner (Stephanie); Beau and Matthew Manning (Lynne); and Olivia Rottmann (Sandra). Donna was also blessed with one great-grandson, Jackson Reign Manning, son of Matthew.
As an LVN in Goleta and the Lompoc Valley, Donna was deeply adored and respected by her patients, coworkers, physicians, and anyone she encountered along the way. Nursing was not just her profession — it was an expression of who she was: compassionate, steady and endlessly giving. For 34 years, she cared for members of the community like they were family. Her gentle and caring nature was heartfelt by all who were fortunate enough to know her. She was completely devoted to her husband, Tom, and always there for her family and friends. Together, Tom and Donna shared a love that was one of a kind and evident to everyone who knew them. Their greatest joy in life was sharing time with their family and friends. Donna was best known for her kind, genuine nature and her boundless generosity of spirit and positivity. She will always be remembered for the quiet strength, warmth, love and tenderness she gave so freely, and for the way she made everyone around her feel cared for and truly special.
Donna’s children are hosting a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, from 2-4 p.m. at the Dick DeWees Community & Senior Center in Lompoc.