Donna Mae (Swarny) Jaime

Donna M. Jaime

05/22/1939 - 10/31/2023

Donna M. Jaime, 84, fell into an eternal embrace with her husband of 60 years, Sal Jaime, who preceded her in death a few years before, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.

Donna was born on May 22, 1939, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Being the youngest of 12 children, with one remaining sister, Dottie Moe, she was preceded in death by too many loved ones to list by name who are in no doubt enjoying the best family reunion imaginable.

Donna and Sal’s loving marriage of 60 years blessed them with four daughters: Maria Church (Brian), Chris Martinez (Danny), Marcy Werne (Tim), Donna Bice (Gilbert), grandchildren Melissa, Vina, Daniel, Adam, Christina, Gabriel, Keri, Timmie, Sommer, Jason, Jaime, Mekayla, and Greyson, 21 great grandchildren, and was preceded in death by grandson Jeffree Bice.

Donna began her life commitment of caring for people when she entered nursing school in 1957. It was while in nursing school that she met Sal, the man of her dreams. She prided herself in the diversity of her nursing career which spanned from pediatrics to geriatrics and everything in between. Throughout her nursing career, she served in ER, Med-Surg, ICU, Long-Term Care, Public Health Nursing, Home Health, and rounded out her service and vast expertise as an Allied Health educator. Although, with her illustrious career, she was most proud of the influence she had on thousands of students enrolled in Certified Nursing Assistant and Certified Caregiver courses throughout the state of Arizona over an 18-year period.

Donna was a business owner, including Su Casa Personal Care in Tucson, Buffalo Chips and Other Southwest Originals in Tombstone, and co-owner of Horizon Health Care Institute in Sierra Vista with her daughter, Marcy.

Mrs. Jaime/Aunt Donna/Grandma/Mom was known by many for her deep compassion, empathy, and kindness, which she so readily shared. She had a strong devotion to Catholicism and a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. She demonstrated her commitment to spreading the Word of God by teaching catechism in Tombstone for over 30 years and was blessed to have impacted the spiritual lives of several generations. Even after retiring from religious education, she continued to minister to all recipients of her heartfelt cards and letters.

One of Donna’s favorite places to travel was Rocky Point, Mexico, where she immersed herself in the Mexican culture of her husband and daughters’ heritage; for which she felt great pride. She also loved the music of Rigo.

Donna’s life will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 15 at Our Lady of the Mountains (OLM) Catholic Church. Rosary will be at 9:30 a.m., followed by mass at 10:00 a.m., interment at noon at Southern Arizona’s Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, and a light reception to share memories immediately following.

Arrangements were made with Jensen’s Sierra Vista Mortuary. The family is forever grateful to Dr. Parag Patel, Dr. Monte Morales, and the staff and providers at Canyon Vista Medical Center for the professional loving care provided to her in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Donna’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, or the Salvation Army.

Donna lived her life by one of her favorite mottos, “Actions speak louder than words.”

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