Dear Singers -
I am so sad to share with you the news that Don Mills, Donna's husband, passed away yesterday morning. He has had heart issues since 2018. He had his aortic valve replaced in 2024 but had been doing really well, they even took two big trips last summer. In early April Donna noticed that things had changed with him, he had really slowed down; he was tired all the time. He fell yesterday morning and Donna called the paramedics because he couldn't get himself up and she needed help. The paramedics were there within seconds of him passing, but they couldn't revive him. His heart was tired and just couldn't keep up. He was 85 years young.
Don and Donna were such a wonderful couple! Don has always been so supportive of Donna's involvement in music, particularly her 'master-of-everything' position in the Grand Singers! It's a darn good thing because Grand Singers has needed and will continue to need Donna Mills! Don's thing was golfing, Donna's was music! Donna said that he loved when she had to fill in for Marilyn Duea as director for the concert in 2010 when Marilyn had a heart issue. I wish I could have seen that!
Don was an engineer. He worked for Lockheed Martin until he retired in 1996. He was involved and worked on the Trident missile. Donna was a schoolteacher in CA. They met and then married in 1970; they recently celebrated their 56th anniversary. They both loved their jobs, but they decided to retire in 1996, sold their big house in San Jose and spent a few years driving around the country in their 40ft diesel pusher! Finally, Donna said she'd had enough and needed to have roots planted! They parked the RV at Happy Trails and Don hit the golf course and put Donna in charge of finding where they should live! When she saw the musical offerings at Grand, they bought a lot and built their house. They had a wonderful life together - each year they would take a big trip to go fly fishing. They went to Montana to fly fish for 40 years, and after that ranch was sold, they started going to Idaho. When Donna would tell me about how much she loved fly fishing, and how good Don was at it, she would speak of how peaceful the trips were. I always tell her I want to go along; I'll just float in the boat and read a good book! (Until I found out that they are out there all day on the water, like for 10 or 12 hours, and no bathrooms for ladies to use!) They both loved these trips! They also have taken some big cruises in recent years.
Don had no interest in having any kind of a funeral or Celebration of life service. He will be cremated and buried along with the ashes of his black lab, Ashley.
They had 56 amazing years together with good health, and for that she is grateful. This is a shock to her, of course, so she now needs us to rally around her and share words of love and encouragement. She has a strong faith, which helps, but needs friends to share and help lessen her grief. Wrap your arms around her through notes and cards. Here is her address:
Donna Milla
17626 N. Amberwood
Surprise 85374
Below is a picture of the two of them from our Memories concert. I can picture both of them holding a fishing rod, instead of the frame!
Pamela |