Donna was a devoted mother, a loving daughter, and a cherished sister. She was a gifted special education teacher at Lynne Thigpen Elementary School in Joliet, IL. She really had a heart for helping others and a deep love for children. Donna was the favorite aunt to many nieces and nephews. She and her daughter, Kayleigh, were extremely close. Kayleigh says that her mother had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room. She said "There's no better way to remember my mom than a diamond: unique, pure, and radiant". Donna was a difference maker in the lives of everyone she knew, from her family to the students that she taught.
We'll share pictures, videos, and
updates
of the process,
and
celebrate
Donna
as we go.
Join
the journey
and help
Donna
's
family keep
her
legacy alive.
Donna's ashes are back at the Eterneva labs, and we are ready to begin the journey to becoming a diamond. Now, Donna's ashes will be put into a crucible that will go through a purification process.
When that is finished, her ashes will be carbon in the form of graphite. This is the material we will put in the diamond growth cell to grow her diamond. In your next update, you’ll get to see the graphite as we open the crucible for the first time. Stay tuned!
Donna's rough diamonds are beautiful! Now, the diamonds will head to Antwerp, Belgium to be hand cut by master diamond cutters. Master diamond cutters spend decades perfecting their craft, and hand cut every single facet of the diamond (upward of 58). In fact, one of the world’s youngest master diamond cutters will be working on Donna's diamonds. He is 56 years old.
Here is a photo of Donna's colorless rough diamond for Kayleigh!
And here is a photo of her blue diamond for Betty Jean!
For Betty Jean:
For Kayleigh:
Donna’s diamonds have been cut and polished. They are absolutely perfect! The sparkle captures her spirit so well! This remarkable transformation and journey is almost complete. Next, the diamonds will head off to IGI for diamond grading and engraving. It’s time to choose a setting, and begin planning for the homecoming.
"Donna Leigh"
Donna’s ashes have been purified and are now pure carbon in the form of graphite. The purified ashes are on their way to Germany where the best of the best memorial diamond growth scientists work. There, they will put the graphite into a growth cell and then into a machine that mimics the earth’s mantle in pressure and temperature. Soon, we’ll be sending an update of her rough diamond!
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have”.
When we lose a remarkable person, the most important thing we can do is keep talking about them!
The purpose of this page is to celebrate Donna. By recording stories about her, we allow future generations to get a sense of who she is (versus impersonal facts in an obituary).
Leave a comment below to share a positive memory you have about Donna, or a way she influenced your life! Condolences are kind, but please hold this space for positive stories & memories about her.
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