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- [S5] Obituary.
Hood River News Obituary, November 29, 2008
Donna Layman
Aug. 19, 1932-Nov. 22, 2008
In the early morning hours of Nov. 22, Donna Mae Layman passed quietly away surrounded by her family at her son’s home in Gresham, Ore. Donna was born Aug. 19, 1932, in Yakima, Wash., to Vivien Clara and Theophile Joseph Gamache. She was a longtime Oregonian, and resident of Hood River for more than 40 years.
Donna spent her childhood in Yakima Valley. She attended high school at Saint Joseph’s Academy, graduating in 1950 and going on to study at Yakima Valley Community College. It was there, while completing her courses in secretarial training, that she met her husband, Robert Louis Layman.
They were wed on June 16, 1951, at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, her childhood parish. After her husband’s untimely death in 1966 Donna remained in Hood River to singlehandedly raise their three children, Janet, Robyn and Bill.
Donna worked as administrative assistant for the Hood River County Board of Commissioners for 33 years, never missing a day of work, if it was in any way avoidable.
She lived and raised her family in her Taylor Street home in Hood River for 40 years, where family often gathered for holidays and birthdays.
Donna truly loved to cook. Every night saw a delicious meal on her table, and plenty for anyone who happened to chance by. A practiced baker of sweets, she never failed to remember your favorite recipe, always seeming to know just when you needed a taste of it.
She was an avid reader, with a half-read book never far from her favorite recliner; where she would sit with her adored dog, Louie, always in her lap.
After her retirement, she kept active in the community by contributing her time and effort to the FISH organization, the Hood River County Museum and the Hood River Historical Society. She was also an active member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.
Above all else, Donna loved her family. There is nothing you can conceive she would not have done to provide for and protect her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. She instilled that same love of family in her children and grandchildren.
She began the tradition of beachside reunions more than 10 years ago. They will surely be carried on in years to come, continuing to bring the family closer together every year. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and friend; a woman of quiet strength; and an inspiration of perseverance, hard work and love to her family.
Donna is preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Layman; her sister, Leta L. Hull; and her grandson, Sgt. Jacob M. Simpson.
She is survived by her daughters, Janet Schmidt and Robyn Simpson; her son, William Layman; her son-in-law, John Schmidt; her daughter-in-law, Lora Layman; her grandchildren, Kimberly Bemiss, John Schmidt, Rebecca Simpson, James Schmidt, Carey Simpson and Brady Layman; her great-granddaughter, Madison Hoodenpyl; her cousin, Darleen Reed; and her beloved dog, Louie.
A Rosary will be held Monday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hood River. In lieu of flowers, Donna’s family requests that a donation be made to the Hood River County Historical Society, P.O. Box 781, Hood River, OR 97031.
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