Dona Dirickson Clements

The family of Dona Dirickson Clements is saddened to announce her passing in the early morning hours of June 30, 2026 after a short battle with a very late stage, aggressive cancer. Dona passed peacefully at home surrounded by her husband and daughters.

Dona was born on January 29, 1957, in Amarillo, Texas, to Jack Doss Dirickson and Doris Reid. A lifelong lover of learning, she graduated as Salutatorian of Amarillo High School’s Class of 1975 before earning her Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in English from Oklahoma Christian College in 1977, graduating summa cum laude.

Throughout her career, Dona worked for more than 30 years in office operations, administration, and as a paralegal. She approached her work with intelligence, dedication, and the same meticulous attention to detail that she brought to every aspect of her life.

Dona was a beloved wife, mother, aunt, Nonni, and friend whose kindness and generosity touched countless lives. She was an inveterate reader and passionate book collector whose favorite subjects included historical and legal fiction, maps, geography, and travel. Her all-time favorite novel was The Historian by Elisabeth Kostova—a book so beloved that both of her daughters also counted it among the five books they would choose if stranded on a deserted island.

Her love of learning was contagious. She encouraged curiosity, education, and independent thinking in those around her and took immense pride in watching her daughters, Christina and Paige, each earn their master’s degrees during her lifetime.

Dona never lost her sense of curiosity about the world. She satisfied her wanderlust by traveling across America with her beloved husband, Wade, in the cab of a big truck. She earned her Commercial Driver’s License and spent five years driving as part of a team with him, together visiting 45 of the 48 contiguous United States. Among her favorite adventures were touring Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin and many of his architectural masterpieces, exploring historic train stations, wandering through world-class museums, discovering charming neighborhood pubs, and checking Times Square in New York City off her bucket list. She also treasured the many visits she spent with Paige in Dallas, Texas, and Fort Collins, Colorado, as well as the time she lived with Christina in Oklahoma City and St. Louis.

Anyone who knew Dona knew her love of Jeopardy!, word games, and trivia. She was an exceptional Scrabble opponent, and very few people could match her vocabulary or quick wit. She delighted in learning something new every day and sharing that knowledge with others.

Her compassion extended far beyond people. Dona loved animals deeply and rarely turned away a stray or anyone—human or animal—who needed a soft place to land. Her home, her possessions, her time, and her generosity were freely shared with others. Over the years, children, grandchildren, foster children, extended family, friends, and acquaintances all found support, shelter, encouragement, and love through her open heart and open door. Their presence enriched her life immeasurably.

Though she was raised in a conservative and deeply religious environment, Dona’s naturally inquisitive mind led her to continually question, learn, and grow. She ultimately embraced progressive, humanistic values and believed deeply that the purpose of life was to be useful, honorable, compassionate, and to make a positive difference simply by having lived. She was the first to admit that she could be socially awkward at times, but no one ever doubted the sincerity of her generosity or the depth of her compassion.

Dona was preceded in death by her father, Jack Doss Dirickson; her mother, Doris Reid; and her stepfather, Robert Reid.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 31 years, Wade Clements; her daughters and their spouses, Christina & Stephen Cahillane & Paige & Josh Stovall; her bonus daughter Bobbie; her cherished grandson Eli Stone; her older brother Steve Dirickson, younger sister Kristen Hunt, extended family; and the many friends whose lives were brighter because she was part of them.

Dona’s legacy is not measured only by the miles she traveled, the books she collected, or the knowledge she accumulated, but by the lives she quietly changed through her generosity, fierce intellect, compassion, and unwavering belief that the world is made better when we care for one another. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network(BCAN), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), or the Amarillo Area Foundation.