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About Donna Anne Eiland:

Donna Anne Eiland Sanford
Birth: Nov. 21, 1956, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
Death: Apr. 21, 2016

Our beloved daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother, Donna Anne Sanford, left her earthly body at age 59. The Lord took her home on Thursday, April 21, 2016. Donna suffered several strokes over the last two months. Donna fought bravely until she could endure no more.
Donna was born on November 12, 1956 in Albuquerque, NM. Her mother, Alicia Ortiz was originally from Santa Fe, NM. Her father, Don Eiland was from Birmingham, Alabama. Donna married the love of her life, Don Sanford, who she met in Oceanside, California. Family meant everything to Donna and she showed it by the unconditional love she gave her two daughters, Jessica and Nicole. Donna?s greatest happiness came from her four grandchildren, Donny, Allan, Alicia and Aidan. Donna taught them how to live each day to the fullest, how to have fun, how to love, and how to forgive. She also taught them practical things like how to cook and manage money! Donna was a scholar as well as a New Mexico History expert. Donna had a deep love for Billy the Kid and could tell you anything about him. Donna was immensely proud of being from New Mexico because of its rich culture. Donna worked at PNM for 30 years where she made many lifelong friends. Her most recent position as a manager in PNM?s asset department allowed her to travel the country with a group called NJUNS. Her intelligence, wit and outgoing personality gained her dear friendships from coast to coast. Donna was an advocate for equal rights for all. Donna strived to empower women in the workplace and beyond. Donna volunteered with YWCA mentoring young women who were incarcerated. Donna hoped to see our first female president elected this year. Donna was a strong Catholic and Democrat, always supporting those who care for the less fortunate. Donna loved music from the era in which she grew up, especially Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder. Donna was like a second mom to many of her daughters? friends. There are so many people whose lives she touched with her positive and loving light. Donna preached and practiced kindness and peace.
Donna is survived by the following family members from Albuquerque, her daughter and son in law, Jessica Sanford Lopez and Arthur J. Lopez, her daughter, Nicole Sanford, her grandchildren, Donny Lopez, age 15, Allan Sanford, age 11, Alicia Lopez, age 11 and Aidan Sanford, age 5, her mother, Alicia Ortiz Eiland, her brother, Stephen A. Eiland, best friend, Corinne Davis and daughter, Heather, her uncle, Rudy Ortiz and aunt, Vanna Ortiz, her first cousins, Marlisa and Ray Gomez, Mark Ortiz, Martin Ortiz, Marquita Ortiz, Alexis Ortiz and Elena Ortiz, her loving Santa Fe family includes her aunt, Eleanor ?Betty Lou? and her husband, Phil Bov?, uncle, Eli Gonzales and aunt, Eleanor Ortiz, her first cousins, Miche Bov?, Matthew Bov? and his wife, Randy, Richard Gonzales and his partner, Sheree, Greg and Joyce Gonzales, Miquela Ortiz Sena and her husband, Tom, uncle, Jerry Ortiz and his wife, Glenda from Pueblo, cousin, David Gonzales and his wife, Shirley from San Antonio, aunt, Chris Ortiz and cousin, Tina Ortiz from Denver, uncles, Tom Eiland, Joe Eiland and Joe?s wife Shirley from Mobile, Alabama, uncle, John Eiland from Clanton, Alabama and sister-in-law, Robin Sanford and her son, Ryan from Oceanside, California.
Donna was predeceased by her wonderful husband and soul mate, Donald A. Sanford, father, Don E. Eiland, parents in law, Raymond Sanford and Eleanor Roy of California, brother William Eiland, uncle, Eddie Ortiz, uncle, Patrick Ortiz, aunt, Consuelo Gonzales and family friend, John Paul Davis. Please join us to celebrate Donna?s life. Recitation of the Rosary will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque. The Funeral Service will be celebrated at on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at 8:30 a.m. at Annunciation Parish, 2532 Vermont NE followed by the Burial at the Historic Fairview Cemetery, located at 700 Yale SE. Friends and family are welcome and encouraged to return to Annunciation Parish after the burial for a reception so that we can laugh and cry with beautiful memories of our sweet Donna. After 23 years of waiting, Donna is now walking barefoot on the beach in Heaven with her dear husband, Don.
Burial: Fairview Memorial Park, Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA
Created by: P Barela , Record added: Apr 26, 2016, Find A Grave Memorial# 161708427