Obituary

Paula (Montgomery Hawksworth) Donley 1947-2026

Paula Andrea Donley was born in Healdsburg, CA, in 1947 to Robert and Nedra Montgomery. The family lived in Coarsegold, and Paula attended Coarsegold Elementary and Sierra High School. After graduation, Paula raised her family in Ahwahnee and became the beloved Cafeteria Lady for Wasuma Elementary School from 1977 to her retirement in 2004.

She was a strong, independent woman with many skills and hobbies, including quilting, painting, woodworking, and cake-decorating. She loved to travel and have adventures with the Red Hat Ladies, and she spent as much time as she could with her grandchildren. She had a generous heart and a ready smile.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents, her in-laws John and Marge Hawksworth, brothers Robert and Dale Montgomery, sister Cathy Daniels, and granddaughter Alison Lazarcheff. Paula is survived by her husband, Michael Donley, daughters, Dee Hawksworth and Stacie Lazarcheff, and her grandchildren, Dylan Hawksworth-Lutzow, Anna Hawksworth-Lutzow, Gabriella Lazarcheff, and Wyle Lazarcheff. She also leaves behind her adored friends, Sonja and PeeWee Westfall.

A celebration of life will be held at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church in Oakhurst, California, on February 28, 2026, at 10:00.