Born Feb. 2, 1937 in Calgary Alberta Canada
Died: Feb. 7 2017 in Bellevue Washington
Don became ill in Dec. but we did not know what was the matter. In late January he developed pneumonia and was being treated for it. He was not getting better so we took him to emergency where they did a cat scan and advised us that he had cancer. No need to say what a shock it was. He was admitted to the hospital where he remained for a week while they did radiation on his lung tumor. After a week they told us there was nothing more they could do and advised we take him home under hospice care. The DR. said he might live for a month or two: a day after he came home, he passed, peacefully in his own room surrounded by his children and grand children. Thankfully, he did not have to suffer for months, for this we are grateful.
Don is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his four sons; Joseph, Patrick,( wife Julie) , Daniel(wife LaWanda) Matthew (wife Gina) and one daughter, Charlotte Grayston, (husband Jesse) He was also blessed with 5 grand children; Sean Donahue, Erin Donahue,
Christopher and Jessica Harris, and April Sialana.
He had five treasured great grand children, Landon, Lucas and Lexie Sialana and Caleb and Kyria Donahue. Don was “Poppa” to them. He loved them dearly.
Don was an only child so he did not have any siblings. However, he had some wonderful cousins who he grew up with on a farm in Calgary. They were like brothers to him.
Don worked for Boeing back in the late 50s, then moved on “losing your bags” for Braniff airlines for 16 years until they went bankrupt. His next job was for American Airlines for 17 years.
He retired in 2000 and was fortunate to enjoy his retirement for 17 years. He and his wife took several trips during that time, once doing a cross country auto trip from Seattle to Washington DC. They stopped along the way in Oklahoma and Texas to visit relatives and in Arkansas to visit their son Dan and his wife, LaWanda.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
I would like to thank Evergreen Hospice for their kindness, if only for short time. A special thank you to Michael an RN with hospice who was the gentlest, kindest man I have ever met. Kathleen
Dearest family and friends,
funeral services for Donald Donahue will be held at 2:30 PM on Thursday Feb 23rd at Tahoma National Cemetery (PLEASE AIM TO ARRIVE AT 2PM). There will be a reception immediately following at the home of Pat and Julie Donahue. Apologies for the short notice.
PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE CEMETERY BY 2:15 AS THE VA WILL DENY ENTRY TO THE SERVICES AFTER THAT TIME.
Funeral services will be short, only about half an hour. You are welcome to attend only the funeral, only the reception or both.
reception: Home of Pat and Julie Donahue 5527 180th Ave E. Lake Tapps, WA 98391 Home Phone: (253) 826- 0929 cell phones: Pat (206) 793- 6555, Julie (253) 861-6773 directions from cemetery: https://binged.it/2mg54zLThank you for joining us. Please forward this email to anyone you believe we may have missed as we do not have email addresses for everyone who may wish to join us in celebrating Don’s life.
Sincerely,
Donahue Family