Depending on who you ask, Donna Lee Swainson was born on August 9 or 10, 1929. She was born at her Grandma Fee’s and her mother insisted it was the 9th and her Grandmother said it definitely was the 10th. Maybe this made for her love of birthdays and all other celebrations. She died the morning of October 21st surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Helena, Montana and during her childhood lived in North Dakota moving to Bonneville where her dad worked on the building the Bonneville Dam. They moved to Portland in her teens where she attended Washington High School. During the war years she and life-long friend Evelyn Stevens attended USO dances and saw many of the big bands at the Jantzen Beach Ballroom and the Crystal Ballroom. After high school she went to work for Meier and Frank where she met the love of her life, Del Loter. They were married in 1947 and two years later Janis Marie was born, followed by Randy Charles, Kathy Rae, Patti Ann and Donald Jay. Her family was the center of her universe all her life. She was a devoted Catholic. The children remember how important music was in the home. Every Sunday morning started with Mass, then Frank Sinatra and the Sunday paper. She saw Frank Sinatra in concert several times as well as Barbara Streisand, and most of the big bands and entertainers of the 40’s. She enjoyed at least one crossword puzzle a day.

She was a stay at home mom until 1967 when she went to work for Georgia Pacific in the Treasurer’s Department. In 1985 she took a job with Louisiana Pacific in the personnel Department where she was in charge of Salaried Employee Benefits nationwide. She retired in 1993 to Manzanita where she and Del had built a beautiful beach house joining several life long friends who lived at the coast. After Del’s death in 1994 she lived at Manzanita for several years. During those years she work with a volunteer organization SHEEBA, assisting seniors with health benefits. During the last stages of their life, she was a devoted caregiver to her husband, her brother and sister-in-law and her two aunts.

After her caregiving years she enjoyed her home on Hayden Island close to her children. She always said «If the car is leaving, I’m in it.» She loved watching the wildlife from her deck, especially Fred the resident Blue Heron. Everyone that passed by her deck received a greeting and a smile. She lived life to the fullest, enjoying concerts, music, cooking for family and friends but most of all happy hour. She said happy hour was made for seniors. Her shoe collection was legendary! Throughout her life she communicated warmth and comfort to everyone, family and friends alike. She often said her dad never knew a stranger and her family believes she didn’t either. Donna was a constant encourager to her family, no matter what the hobby or new enterprise, no matter if you made mistakes and failed or were a fabulous success, she believed in you beginning to end. She celebrated your success and dried your tears and maybe bought you something to cheer you up.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Del, Grandson Bo and Son-in-law Craig Lampe as well as many dogs most recently her grand dog Buddy. She leaves behind 5 children, 13 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers contributions suggested by the family include Dr. Druker’s Knight Cancer Fund at OHSU, onedown.org or DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, DoveLewis.org.

A celebration of life will be held at the Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon Street, Portland, 97205 on October 31, 2015, 2:00-5:00pm.