WESST Blog

A Fond Farewell

I first met LaDonna Hopkins at a community event in 2008.    I was immediately struck by how focused she was on me as we stood and talked in the middle of a very crowded  ballroom.  As I got to know LaDonna better, I quickly realized that her ability to focus on and listen to the person in front of her was one of the many things that made her so special.  LaDonna truly loved people and was always interested in learning as much as possible about a person –qualities which underpinned her very successful career as a teacher and community fundraiser.

LaDonna was always willing to share her incredible knowledge and I learned a great deal from her over the years about donor development.  In addition to being a longtime WESST donor, she also led our board and staff in fundraising training — as she did for many other organizations in Albuquerque.  She was passionate about a wide range of causes and was an unapologetic advocate for the rights of women, children and persons of color.

There are so many people who are hurting now because they, like me, were so very fortunate to call LaDonna a friend – not just any kind of friend but the soulmate kind of friend who was simply one of the most giving, caring and loving people I have ever known.   When she passed away unexpectedly in April,  our hearts were broken. They still are.   LaDonna Hopkins was an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother and friend who gave so much to so many.  We mourn her loss and celebrate her life.    Rest in peace my beautiful friend.

Agnes Noonan