Donna graduated from Arizona State University in 1992 with a Master's degree in English/Literacy.

She became an Adult Literacy Teacher; she started teaching at Glendale Community College, onto ASU then to the Arizona State Prison system until she retired.

In the mid 90's Donna and Jean decided to move to Washington State to venture a new life.  Donna worked at Washington University until the early 2000s when they decided to come back to Phoenix.

Donna was known for her welcoming and extreme generous spirit. Donna was positive, full of laughter and happy even at her worst she always had a smile. She loved to play games on Facebook with friends, watching the Arizona Cardinals and the Phoenix Mercury.  Donna was an active member of the LGBTQ communities, and a spokesperson of Phoenix Pride.

Donna was preceded in death by her father James (Jim) Hudson, Mother, Emily Faye Hansberger (nee Parsons), Stepmother, Sister, Brother and Nephew. Donna is survived by her beloved wife, Jean Simeone, a son, a sister, nephew and niece.