Dona Anita Durham

Dona Anita Durham, 78, of Santa Fe, New Mexico died unexpectedly on May 4, 2026 at the University of New Mexico Hospital. Born in Midland, Texas on April 17, 1948, Dona lived a full life defined by her love for her students, her cats, adventures and almost any creative endeavor that touches people’s hearts, whether art, film, music, literature, or dance.

Dona spent her early years in Corpus Christi, Texas in a climate—as she often mentioned--not suited for her fair skin and red hair. She began her academic life at the University of Texas where she earned a BA in sociology, followed by a Master’s and Ph.D.

focused on children and special education. She taught at the University of Kentucky in Lexington and at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and held teaching and administrative certifications and worked for public school districts in Texas, Virginia, Maine, and New Mexico.

While living in the Washington, D.C. area, Dona met her life partner, William Thomas (Tom) Fairbourn and his son, Paul Legoe. Dona and Tom married in 1989 and eventually moved to Maine where she worked in the public schools focusing on special education. After spending a few too many winters in Maine, Dona and Tom decided to relocate to a warmer climate, so they moved to Santa Fe where Dona joined the Santa Fe Public Schools as the district’s autism consultant. Dona was known for her remarkable ability to consistently create an environment in which every student felt valued, understood, and capable of success. According to her co-workers, Dona’s work in Santa Fe changed the way the SFPS district manages its autism programs.

After Dona retired from SFPS, she promptly earned a certification as an educational therapist and continued to work with students on a one-to-one basis. She provided tailored instruction for students with learning differences and was a tireless advocate.She also served as an active member of the National Association of Educational Therapists.

Dona was feisty and she never held back on voicing her opinions, especially concerning perceived injustices. Deeply loyal, she had many dear friends across the years and continents, some forged during childhood and her studies, and others through her work and her travels to Europe, Latin America and Africa. If you were fortunate to know her, you were introduced to films you would have never seen, music you would have never heard and books you would have never read. She lived a full life with an insatiable curiosity and a desire to share it with everyone.

Dona and her husband, Tom, were the ultimate cat people and filled their lives with rescued felines. After Tom died in 2012, Dona continued to provide exceptional support for their five cats. She ensured that her one remaining elder cat, Buster, will continue to live out his full life in her absence.

Dona is preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Thomas (Tom) Fairbourn, whom she kept in her heart, and her parents, June D. and Charles A. Durham. Dona is survived by her brother, Charles (C.A.) Durham of Corpus Christi, Texas, and her stepson, Paul Legoe of Arlington, Virginia.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 16, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Universal Unitarian Church of Santa Fe, 107 West Barcelona Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505. All who knew Dona are warmly invited to attend.

The Celebration will be available online through the church’s website by clicking the Livestream button beginning 15 minutes prior to the service. Please RSVP through the same link: https://www.uusantafe.org/

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to Santa Fe Feline and Friends, 369 Montezuma Avenue, PMB #320, Santa Fe, NM 87501.