DOWNEY – Donna Jean (Drake) Beeman was born on Aug. 27, 1941 in Downey. She lost her third battle with cancer on July 27, 2015 at her home in Boulder, Colo. 

She received her teaching credentials from Long Beach State College. She taught Home Economics in the Los Angeles Unified School District. 

She moved to Boulder in 1973 where she continued to teach in the Boulder Valley School District. Being in a wheelchair herself, she advocated equality for people with disabilities. She was also an alternate for the 1996 Para-Olympic team. 

Donna is survived by her ex husband, Jeff Beeman; daughter, Johanna (Jojo) Beeman; and stepson, David Beeman. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Lucille Montana (Watkins) Drake and Joe Neal Drake. 
In lieu of flowers, the family requested contributions in her honor to The Center for People with Disabilities. 

Memorial services were held Aug. 9 at the Gate House in Lafayette, Colo.