Obituary
Harriett Kalpakian Donnell was born on September 9th, 1935, the youngest of the four daughters of Helen and Harry Kalpakian of Los Angeles. She graduated from Los Angeles High School and received a full 4-year scholarship to the University of Southern California. While at USC she majored in Spanish, and was active in the Amazons and Mortar Board service organizations. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1956 and was admitted to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. This was followed by a year of graduate study in secondary education, earning her a lifetime teaching credential. She went on to teach Spanish at Westchester High School for five years. In 1961 she married Alan Donnell with whom she had two children: Helen and Howard. At the same time that she was a devoted mother and homemaker, she tutored private students in Spanish. From 1986 to 1996 Harriett worked as a commercial real estate market research coordinator in Woodland Hills. Harriett and Alan moved to Ojai in 1996 where Harriett Donnell was a lively and integral member of the community. She became an instructor in the AARP course for senior drivers as well as serving seven years on the board of directors of Help Of Ojai. Her activities in the Ojai United Methodist Church were many and varied, including serving as Lay Leader until her death. She brought joy to everyone whose path crossed hers. Harriett passed away after a short battle with lung cancer. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Alan Donnell, daughter Helen of Mt. Dora, Florida, son Howard of Elgin, Texas, sisters Peggy Johnson of Bellingham, Washington and Betty Bown of Riverside, and thirteen nieces and nephews. Her urn will be buried in the Memorial Garden at the Ojai United Methodist Church
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 6, at 2:00 PM at the Ojai United Methodist Church.
Harriett requested that any gifts in her honor be given to the Ojai United Methodist Church, 120 Church Rd. Ojai 93023.
First obiturary, but short.
