Donna Jean Osburn passed away suddenly on Dec. 14, 2022 in Munich, Germany while traveling home from a business trip. She was 61.

Donna was born January 23, 1961 in Rapid City, SD, where her father served at Ellsworth Air Force Base. She was the oldest of two children born to Richard and Yuki Osburn. As an "Air Force brat," she became accustomed to moving from one base to the next. The family moved from Ellsworth to Alexandria, VA; Ewa Beach, HI; Travis AFB; and ultimately, settled in Vacaville, CA when Richard retired in 1978.

Donna graduated from Vanden High School in 1979. She made her way through life and college, attending U.C. Santa Barbara, Solano College, and (as she would say) finally graduating from U.C. Davis with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences in 1990. With degree in hand, she landed her first job in biotechnology with Genentech and worked there for 27 years. She switched careers to real estate before going back to biotechnology full-time in 2019. She began working for T-Knife Therapeutics in 2021 with the hope and sheer excitement that T- Knife's innovative therapies would be a cure for cancer.

Donna always had a big personality and presence. Each stop along her life journey from childhood, to high school, from being a server at Lyon's, an aerobics instructor, working in realty, biotech and through all facets of her life, she made long-term, lasting friendships. She treasured and maintained those relationships. She was a loving, thoughtful, and supporting mother, sister, and daughter. They say that the love you receive is equal to the love that you give. She gave and received so much. Several of her Vanden classmates held a touching candlelight vigil for Donna on Dec. 17, 2022.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by sons Connor (Dawson Hoover) Spurling and Aaron (Abbey Lindsay) Spurling; brother, Dan (Liz) Osburn; life-long friend Karen Goodlow; and many valued relatives and friends.

A viewing will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 at Vaca Hills Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at Vaca Hills Chapel and a reception will follow at Vacaville's Opera House, 560 E Main Street. A graveside service and internment will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Vacaville-Elmira Cemetery.