I've had a wonderful life, and when it wasn't wonderful, it was interesting."
Obituary
Donnette Seim Nair, 98, of Paso Robles and Carpinteria CA, passed away on Dec. 20th, 2024.
Donnette Nair (Donnie) passed away surrounded by family in Paso Robles, California on December 20, 2024 after living a long and wonderful life. She was born on January 28, 1926 in Eagle Rock, CA, the youngest of 4 siblings, to her parents Ethel and Paul Seim. She joked that she was “98 and doing great”, and had planned to say “I’m 99 and doing fine”.
Donnie felt at home in a lovely room surrounded by her favorite belongings and a view of the garden at Annette’s Lodge Assisted Living. She moved to Paso Robles in 2019 to be near her daughters and truly appreciated all the caregivers, who met her every need .
Donnie will be remembered as a devoted wife of 60 years to Jack Nair, who passed in 2009 after a long illness of Alzheimer’s, as a loving mother and proud grandmother and an unforgettable friend to countless people. With her warmth and boundless energy, she had a gift for making friends wherever she went and was an avid volunteer in many organizations.
She started the Carpinteria Beautiful Home Tour with her good friend Libby Weinberg. She gathered friends and community members to produce the annual home tour for over 20 years raising funds for local charities. She wrote a delightful advice column in the Carpinteria Coastal View News called “Ask Donnie” and volunteered as a mentor with SCORE, helping people to start their own business. She loved living in Carpinteria and cherished her many friends there.
Donnie’s career as a trailblazing real estate agent began in Boulder, Colorado, where she made history as the first woman to join RE/MAX. Her determination and talent led her to become a top performer, earning awards for her record-breaking listings, sales and earnings. Later, she brought her expertise and charisma to Carpinteria, where she continued her success.
Donnie attended writing classes and finished her memoir, My Life, So Far So Good which included many stories and insights about her interesting life. She finished several chapters in another book, called “The Big Eraser” about the profound impact of Alzheimer’s. She organized the first Alzheimer’s Support Group in the area, which is still active.
Donnie loved to travel and filled many journals with her adventures and observations about the world. She was a life-long member of the Unitarian Church and had a passionate interest in politics.
Donnie is survived by her children, Valerie Galvez, Jaki (Mark) Kalionzes and Kathleen Wigle, all of Paso Robles, as well as nine grandchildren , seven great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Her passing leaves a huge emptiness in our lives, though we are inspired by the life she lived, her love of family, so many people she befriended, her successes and all the memories we hold dear.
A Celebration of Donnie’s Life will be held at the Weinberg Family Home, 5529 Calle Arena, Carpinteria on Feb 22, 2025 from 1-4 pm with time at 2:30 for shared memories from family and friends. A catered buffet lunch will be offered along with wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks. Donnie loved a party!
Into the Milky Way
Donnie always said that she would be found in the Milky Way after leaving this earth. Observing the Milky Way reminds us of the vastness of the universe and humanity's small yet meaningful place in it. It represents the journey of the soul from the earthly realm to the eternal one. Like the stars in the Milky Way, may her light continue to shine, guiding and surrounding us from afar.
Photos
Memory wall
She taught me, through both words and example, that life isn't something that happens to you—it's something you embrace with open arms. In every stage of her journey, from youth to her final years, she remained fully present and engaged, treating each day as an opportunity for discovery. Donnie showed me that age is merely a number, and that the capacity for joy, growth, and contribution knows no bounds.
Her eyes sparkled with delight at life's simple pleasures. She had an extraordinary gift for finding beauty in the ordinary, transforming mundane moments into memories worth treasuring. This wasn't just a passive appreciation—it was an active choice she made daily, a conscious decision to seek out and celebrate the good in life.
But she was more than just an observer of beauty; she was a creator of change. Her convictions ran deep, and she never shied away from standing up for what she believed in. She taught me that advocacy isn't just for the young—it's for anyone who sees the potential for positive change in the world. Her passion for justice and improvement never dimmed, showing me that one person's voice, raised in pursuit of better things, can echo through generations.
Perhaps her greatest gift was her capacity for enthusiasm. In a world that often teaches us to be reserved and cautious, she remained unabashedly in love with life. Her zest for living was contagious, inspiring those around her to approach their own lives with greater passion and purpose. She demonstrated that true fulfillment comes not from playing it safe, but from diving deep into the experience of being alive.
As my adopted grandmother, she created a bond that transcended biological ties, showing me that family is something we can choose and nurture. Her guidance and wisdom helped shape my understanding of what it means to live a life worth remembering. Through her example, I learned that every stage of life offers its own unique gifts and opportunities for growth.
Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, in the lessons she shared, and in the love she gave so freely. Though she lived to nearly ninety-nine years, it wasn't the length of her life that made it remarkable—it was the depth of her engagement with every moment she was given. She showed us all that life isn't about waiting for the perfect moment, but about making each moment count.
As I carry her memory forward, I strive to honor her example: to remain curious and engaged, to seek out beauty in unexpected places, to stand firm in my convictions, and above all, to approach life with the same infectious enthusiasm she maintained until her final days. Her story reminds us that a life well-lived isn't measured in years alone, but in the hearts touched, the wisdom shared, and the love given freely to others.
Thank you, dear friend and mentor, for showing us all what it means to truly live.
And only then did I start learning exactly what carpinteria is - it’s a beautiful, humble, unassuming small town by the beach; and the beach was always my draw. And it was my days on the beach that the soothing rhythms of nature seeped into my soul returning me to my roots. That is the true essence of Carpinteria. Donnie Naire always had an eye for true beauty too.
Susan Mailheau
Donnie was so much more than a dear friend. She was my mentor, counselor, political advisor, social secretary and a stand-in mom when my own mother died. Our discussions helped shape my thinking on so many important topics.
Donnie exuded wisdom and love combined with a wonderful sense of humor.
I'm so thankful to have had her as my friend.
With Love,
Paul Gordon
I know that she meant the world to all of you.
Service
5529 Calle Arena, Carpinteria
