Donna Ghio Mcmahon

November 10, 1934 - January 9, 2024

LA JOLLA — Small in stature, colossal in her love of family and friends, abundant in faith, tireless in energy, and generous in all aspects of her life, Donna was a master in the art of living.

She had great pride in her city and celebrated the fact she was a native San Diegan. Donna attended Jefferson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High and San Diego High School, where she was a majorette. Donna went to college at the University of Southern California and was affiliated with the Delta Gamma sorority. She met her beloved “Jerry,” husband of 62 years, at USC on a blind date. They married a week after graduation and left for flight school in Pensacola, Florida. Upon retiring from the Navy, Donna and Jerry raised their five children in San Diego. Donna was a member of the Juniors of the Social Service and San Diego Trojan League. She served as a docent at the San Diego Courthouse for 15 years educating elementary school students about the legal system. She was a dedicated volunteer the San Diego Tennis Patrons now known as Youth

She was a persevering sports fan, calling sports radio shows into her 80’s, celebrated the NFL draft as if it were a rock concert, participated in the March Madness brackets with great enthusiasm, though she rarely won, and was an avid Padres Fan. She never missed a Padres opening day since becoming a major league team 54 years ago. Not for a moment giving up on them clinching a Worlds Series title until the odds were not favorable. “Next year,” she’d say. Hope rang eternal in all aspects of Donna’s life.

Donna is best known for her lasting legacy of family. She extended the gifts of family and home to all those who crossed her path. Making certain you left her company a little brighter in spirit and sometimes a few pounds heavier due to her extraordinary cooking and baking skills. She hosted the infamous weekly “Sunday night dinners” for over 60 years where both good food, family, friends, and laughter were abundant. Her life was highlighted by the many trips taken with Jerry and family to the slopes of Colorado and beaches of Maui resulting in a lifetime of memories. As recently as July 2023, at 88 years old Donna travelled to Maui and took one last ride down the water slides. This exemplified Donna; fearless, feisty and readily accepting challenges in her path.

Donna embodied the spirit of Christmas, was the catalyst behind every family gathering, and made certain each holiday and birthday was a special one, staying up until midnight assuring to be the first to send a happy birthday text. Donna celebrated the simple things in life with great gusto.

Donna was the heart of her large family. The gifts she gave and life lessons imparted will be passed on for generations.

She is survived by her daughter Maria Mcmahon -Newton Hassett (Mark Hassett), sons Matthew J. Mcmahon, Michael Mcmahon (Janet), Mark Mcmahon (Sherri) and Angela Mcmahon Davis (Scott). Her beloved grandchildren, Megan Mcmahon, Morgan Mcmahon Forbes (Sean), Madison Mcmahon, Emily Newton Quintero (Andrew), Kate Newton, Jeffrey Mcmahon, Bradley Mcmahon, and Gregory Mcmahon. A source of great pride was her great-granddaughter Rylie Quintero. She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry and two grandchildren, Timothy Mcmahon Newton and Alex Mcmahon.

A memorial service will be held at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in La Jolla, February 2 at 2:00 pm. A reception immediately following at the La Jolla Women’s Club.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Father Joe’s Villages, 3350 E Street, San Diego, California 92102, or online at my.neighbor.org

Tennis San Diego.