Donna J. Lewis

Donna J. Lewis, owner of the Victorian Garden Inn, passed away suddenly at her home in Sonoma, CA, October 5, 2014, of heart failure. Donna was the proprietor of the Victorian Garden Inn for 30 years. She was passionate about her family, politics, and education. She loved the town of Sonoma, and worked hard to support and maintain its historic charm and sense of community. She had a curious, creative, and open mind, unending energy and determination, and never hesitated to stand up for what she believed.

Donna was born November 9, 1934, to Albert and Ella Mae Driver, in Los Angeles, CA. She completed a BA at the University of Redlands, and was a former president of her local American Association of University Women. She was a teacher, an interior designer, and store owner. She was a member of the Kiwanis Club for many years, and active with the World Affairs Council of Sonoma County. Donna moved to Sonoma in 1981, and opened her Inn in 1983. She loved meeting and talking with visitors to the Inn from all over the world, and took great pride in helping them see the best that Sonoma had to offer. She cared greatly for her employees and their families, and worked hard to provide them with support even through hard economic times. She had a home in Patzcuaro, Mexico, and loved relaxing and spending time with her friends down there.

Predeceased by her parents, and her brother William Driver. Survived by her three children, Karrin Hopper, Korey Lewis, and Kenton Lewis, and her four grandsons, Daniel Dempster, Jonathan Dempster, Cameron Sprenger, and Kaden Lewis, all of whom she was very proud.

Her family would like to thank her friends and business associates who have been so generous with their time and assistance during this difficult time.

A public memorial service will be held November 8, 2014, at the Vintage House, 264 1ST Street East, Sonoma, at 1:30 p.m.