Donna Lee Cribbs

Donna Lee Cribbs, 87, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, in Boise, Idaho. She was born on February 4, 1938, in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, and lived a life marked by deep faith, generous love, and extraordinary hospitality.

Donna was the beloved wife of the late Robert (Bob) William Cribbs Jr., whom she married in 1957. Together they built a life rooted in devotion to one another and their family. She was also preceded in death by her cherished grandson, Royce William Cribbs.

She is lovingly survived by her children Robert (Bob) Cribbs III (Margaret), Mark Cribbs (Cathy), and Sherry Graf (Scott); her sister Faye Kenney; her grandchildren Jason Wetsel (Kristi), Sommer Wetsel, Anneleise Thompson (Julius), Gretchen Aubrey (Nick), Tensor Chen, and Weijing Chen (Weiling); and her great-grandchildren Taggart Wetsel, Trent Wetsel, Myles Aubrey, Lyla Lee Aubrey, and Adam Chen.

Donna was raised in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where her parents, Charles and Alma Weitzel, owned Oklahoma Florist. It was there that Donna’s lifelong love of flowers began, an appreciation that grew into true expertise. An exceptional gardener with exquisite taste, she spent countless joyful hours cultivating beauty, arranging home-grown bouquets, and creating spaces that felt both elegant and deeply welcoming.

In 1960, Donna and Bob moved to California with their sons Bob and Mark, welcoming their daughter Sherry in Orangevale before settling in Placerville, California. There, they built their family home on a cattle ranch, a place that became legendary for its warmth and open doors. Donna was a devoted homemaker, loving wife, and nurturing mother. To her children’s friends, she was simply “Mom.” To her grandchildren’s friends, she was always “Grandma.” Her home was a refuge, her table always full, and her heart endlessly generous.

Donna and Bob hosted weddings, concerts, retreats, and countless gatherings over the years, offering hospitality marked by grace, beauty, and love. She had an intuitive gift for hosting - making every person feel seen, welcomed, and cared for.

A devout and dedicated follower of Christ, Donna loved the Lord deeply. Her faith in Jesus infused every part of her life, shaping her generosity, kindness, and servant’s heart. She mothered everyone in her reach with warmth and compassion, often paired with a wry sense of humor that those close to her cherished.

Donna was well traveled alongside Bob, journeying the world for both business and adventure. Among their travels, Egypt held a particularly special place in their hearts, where they formed lifelong friendships that became family. Those connections remain a treasured part of the Cribbs family story.

She was also known for her simple joys - especially popcorn, chocolate, and most of all, ice cream.

Donna gave generously of her time, talents, and resources, serving as a CASA Youth Advocate in El Dorado County, a philanthropist, and a volunteer at her local church. She was a founding board member of Compassion Tea, beautifully blending her love for tea with her passion for philanthropy.

In 2021, Donna moved to Star, Idaho, with her daughter Sherry and family, where she continued tending her garden and surrounding those she loved with care until the end of her life.

A public service will be held on Friday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. at Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene in Meridian, Idaho. Livestream information will be available for those who wish to attend virtually. A gathering in California will also be held, with details to come.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family encourages donations to Compassion Now, the nonprofit supported by Compassion Tea. In Donna’s memory, all are also invited to plant flowers, tend a garden, or pause to enjoy something beautiful - just as she always did. 

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Donna Lee Cribbs leaves behind a legacy of faith, hospitality, beauty, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.