Donna Gail Stickney

Donna Gail (Gandara) Stickney was born July 24, 1951 to Raymond and Catherine Gandara of Tyler, Texas. She attended Robert E. Lee High School, Tyler Junior College, The University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Eastern Washington University, the University of South Florida, and the University of Tulsa. Her first degree in biology was followed with an honors graduation from University of Texas Physician Assistant program. She then acquired a Masters in marine science and subsequently completed all her coursework for a PhD in molecular biology at an honors level.

She married Randall Stickney on June 5, 1977 after dating in Galveston for 18 months. As a married couple, they resided in Tucson, Spokane, and the Tampa Bay area, and have lived in Tulsa since 1987.

She was a devoted mother with children, Alisha and Zachary, currently attending college. She served as President of the Presbyterian Women’s Organization of Kirk of the Hills and was an enthusiastic long-term member of Bible Study Fellowship here in Tulsa.

Donna was a compassionate lover of all animals and especially dogs. She served on the President’s Council for Defenders of Wildlife as well as on the Board of Directors for the Tulsa Zoo for several years.

Donna was always dedicated to exercise, fitness, and a healthy lifestyle including competitive volleyball, running, bicycling, swimming, scuba diving, downhill and cross country skiing, kayaking, tennis, archery, fishing, and firearm shooting sports. During her years at Tyler Junior College, she loved performing at Dallas Cowboy football games as an Apache Belle. She also achieved a black belt in Tae Kwon Do of which she was very proud.

She is survived by, her husband Randall, her children Zachary and Alisha, her brother David and his wife Diane, cousins, and many loving friends.

She returned to her Lord and Savior on 1/7/2015 with a celebration of her life planned for Saturday, 1/17/2015 at 2:00 pm at the Kirk Of the Hills with reception to follow.