Donna Lynne Whitney

Donna Lynne Whitney

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Donna Lynne Whitney, who left us on February 11, 2025, at the age of 68, after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Donna was a beloved mother and grandmother, a dedicated counselor, and a cherished member of her community in Espanola, New Mexico.

Born on her father’s birthday, March 11,1956, Donna grew up in and around Saratoga Springs, New York. After first considering a life of religious orders, she instead dedicated her life to motherhood and to helping others. After raising her children, Donna fulfilled a lifelong dream of completing her bachelor’s degree to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADAC). She then moved from New York to New Mexico, a place she loved deeply. Her training focused on helping those with multiple addictions or mental health issues, and she was proud of her ability to guide people toward recovery – people whom many had given up on. Her compassion and unwavering dedication to her clients made a profound impact on many lives. Donna's work at the Santa Clara Pueblo’s Behavioral Health Department and other places helped countless people - many in underserved communities. She was a beacon of hope for those seeking recovery and a better future.

Donna’s adulthood was shaped by her deep Catholic faith and her desire to help others find healing, recovery, relief from pain and spiritual salvation. She was a practitioner and teacher of Qigong, and a devotee of natural and indigenous healing modalities. She studied with Master Gu, a Qigong Master in China, and went on to teach the practice locally at the Shen Ren Qigong Studio as well as to Native American students from the pueblos near Espanola. In her last year she added acupressure training to her list of skills. 

Donna was a highly creative woman who worked as a professional photographer while she was raising her children. She sewed clothes and Halloween costumes, canned delicious jams, crafted herbal salves, created fine Native American-style beaded jewelry, and enjoyed baking and the art of tea service. Her deep respect for Native American culture and traditions came through in both her healing work and art. 

Donna is survived by her companion and dear friend Emilio Ortega, her children, Eliza (Josee Lamoureux) Smith-Vedder, Amber (Joshua) Green, Ethan (Kibbie) Vedder, and her grandchildren, Bryce Green, Cillian Green, Lily Green, TJ Vedder, and her siblings, Pam Byykkonen, Jeanne Hodness, David (Janet) Parillo and Tracy Curley as well as numerous cousins who were like siblings to her: Sally Doss, Danny Whitney, Micheal Whitney and Frederick Whitney. She was preceded in death by her mother, Martha Parillo, her father, Paul J. Whitney, her dear cousin Janet Whitney Leary Carpenter, and Janet’s son Charlie Leary. Special thanks to Jennifer Vigil for her friendship and support.

A Rosary will take place on February 18, 2025, at 6:00pm at DeVargas Funeral Home in Espanola, NM. A Mass will take place Wednesday February 19, 2025, at the Holy Family Church in Chimayo NM, at 1:00pm. A burial will follow at El Potrero Cemetery in Chimayo NM, and reception will be held after at the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Santuario de Chimayo in her memory.

Donna's legacy of love, dedication, and compassion will forever be remembered by all who knew her. She will be deeply missed

The family of Donna Lynne Whitney has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. www.devargasfuneral.com 505-747-7477