Nov. 9, 1943-Jan. 26, 2024
Dona Dunkovich, 80, passed away on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, in St. George, Utah. She was born on Nov. 9, 1943, in Santa Monica, California, to Alan Brandau Carpenter and Ruth Alleman Carpenter. She was married to Leonard Dunkovich in Yorba Linda, California, on Jan. 27, 1972.
Dona was raised in southern California, in the cities of Brea and Yorba Linda, the first child born in her family. She was a very smart child and excelled in academics.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Brigham Young University, and while working in marketing research at North American Rockwell Corporation, she completed two Master’s degrees in communication and journalism from Cal State Fullerton. It was also at work where she met Leonard Dunkovich, an aerospace engineer, in 1971.
Dona was an active member in the Hurricane 17th Ward, serving in many callings, including Relief Society President and Gospel Doctrine Teacher. She made many friends and loved to work as a substitute teacher for special needs children in the local school district.
Dona enjoyed baking cookies, gardening, reading and journaling. She was a cat lover, taking care of numerous pets and feeding strays over the years, including a wild baby bunny named Bugsy. Always concerned with keeping in touch, she never forgot a birthday or special occasion, faithfully sending thoughtful cards to relatives and friends.
Dona is survived by her husband, Leonard Dunkovich of Hurricane, Utah; brother, Tom Carpenter (wife Christine) of St. George, Utah; brother, Jerry Carpenter (wife Debi) of Yorba Linda, California; niece, Elise Carpenter of Raleigh, North Carolina; niece Ashleigh Campbell (husband Brett) of Phoenix, Arizona; niece, Amanda Bethel (husband Corby) of Norco, California; niece Tara Bishop (husband Gordon) of Pleasant Grove, Utah; and nephew, David Ullah of Windsor, Colorado.
She is also survived by eight great-nieces and nephews: Luke, Kelsey, Camden, Kayleigh and Mackenzie Campbell; Corby “Junior” Bethel; Jasmine Hinton (husband Joel) of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Jaden Bishop of Salt Lake City, Utah.
She is preceded in death by parents, Alan and Ruth Carpenter, and sister, Lori Noble.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 11 a.m. to noon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Stake Center at 677 S 700 W in Hurricane, with the viewing and family visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The interment will be held at the Hurricane City Cemetery at 255 E 600 N, Hurricane.
Family and friends are invited to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.