Ladonna C. Stoppel

June 26, 1916 - November 19, 2017

Ladonna Callahan Stoppel, longtime Berkeley resident, died peacefully on Sunday, November 19, 2017. She was 101 years old. Ladonna was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and raised in Kentfield and San Francisco, California. She graduated from The Drew School, and earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1943. During the war years, Ladonna worked in the Richmond shipyards as an electrician, one of the original Rosie the Riveters. Ladonna worked as an Arthur Murray dance instructor, high school teacher and UC Berkeley undergraduate admissions counselor. She was involved in many activities in her community, including Girl Scouts, League of Women Voters, Vicente Dance Club and Park Hills Architectural Review Committee.

Ladonna was an inspirational and supportive mother, wife, friend and grandmother. She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Ralph, and close friend from freshman days at Cal, Louise B. Larson. Ladonna leaves behind three children: Mark Stoppel of Vashon, WA, Alison Nelson of Portland, OR and Natalie (Dave) Kovac of Corvallis, OR, eight grandchildren: Justin (Cameron), Keets, Lars, Miles, Alex, Marissa, Abby and Jeremy, and great-grandchildren Wesson and Emery. She also leaves behind devoted caregiver and friend Ana Pineda and her family Sergio, Veronica and Anthony. Ladonna’s family appreciates the loving care from staff at Chaparral House. Ladonna’s kindness, grace and joy for life will be deeply missed by family and friends.

At Ladonna’s request, private family services will be held. Memorials suggested to one of Ladonna’s favorite non-profit organizations, the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, P.O. Box 4670, Berkeley CA 94704, www. eastbaysanctuary.org.

Holy Angels Catholic Funeral Services, 510 234-2012