Margery Beck Becky" Donahue

Becky Donahue - September 5, 1956 – May 25, 2022 Becky Donahue passed away peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by her children and loved ones, early in the morning hours of May 25, 2022. These last few months found her bravely and resolutely battling late-stage mucosal melanoma, first diagnosed in March of this year. A lifetime California resident, she was born in Pasadena but enjoyed many years in Northern California and the Bay Area before relocating to San Diego to raise her children. She is survived by her devoted husband of 34 years, Dave, and her adoring children, Elizabeth Beck and Henry Thomas. Becky was a lifetime scientist, gardener, cook, and adventurer. As a young girl she kept busy riding, exploring, and playing with her large family and ever-growing circle of friends. She proudly organized elaborate and cherished annual family reunions which she transformed during the pandemic into a weekly Zoom call and book club. A pillar in her local Poway community, she did everything from developing science education programming for elementary schoolers to running several high school athletic programs and volunteering with textbook distribution each fall. Vivacious and bright, she formed communities in every circle she found herself. As a scientist, she pioneered biomedical, pharmaceutical and regulatory development, the likes of which are now the gold-standard within regulatory governance and operation. She consulted most recently for Cedars-Sinai, leading the push for cutting-edge therapies and treatment innovation with the Svendsen Research Lab, and particularly their stem cell and retina research groups. She especially loved early morning walks, heirloom gardening, lavender labyrinths, fly fishing, reading as much as she could lay her eyes and ears upon, sharing her sourdough starter ‘Beverly,’ long hot baths, cooking for her family, her scented geranium and rosemary bushes, buttermilk waffles, playing Scrabble with family, wide open spaces, and cuddling up to whatever furry friend needed her the most. Smart, savvy, and sassy, Becky was always the funniest person in any room. Vivacious to the end, she led by example and always demonstrated the importance and powers of gratitude, grit, grace, and a generous heart. Direct and fair, she forgave quickly and well the moment you sought it from her. The woman who could and did. Forever will her legacy of love and leadership light our days, lift our hearts, and guide our paths. In lieu of flowers, contributions (and volunteer hours) can be given to one of the following: The Nature Conservancy https://www. nature. org/en-us/membership-and-giving/donate-to-our-mission/ The Girl Scouts of the USA https://www. girlscouts. org/en/support-us/invest/donate. html Women’s Sports Foundation https://www. womenssportsfoundation. org/support-us/ Sierra Club Foundation https://act. sierraclub. org/donate/rc_connect__campaign_designform?id=70131000001hPsPAAU&formcampaignid=701310000008koOAAQ First Book https://support. firstbook. org/give/121944/?_ga=2. 72568340. 628717782. 1641223535-1037173914. 1633021131&_gac=1. 191315288. 1637598059. Cj0KCQiAkNiMBhCxARIsAIDDKNUjqh0CS2-rjNlFtOzLFIxrFCGusHlXFkJNSbp9x3BkEOdhbRPJs6kaAo1LEALw_wcB#!/donation/checkout?utm_source=nav&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=maindonate Seed Savers Exchange https://www. seedsavers. org/donate A celebration of life will be held in the coming months and details announced shortly.