Donna Rae Baptista Hamilton

Donna Rae Baptista Hamilton, a caring and giving person born April 30, 1946 in Ketchikan, AK, passed away October 30th, 2006. She is survived by her husband, Gerry, of 41 years. Other survivors include her brothers Michael Hamilton Ketchikan, AK, Donald Hamilton, Jr. Hollis, AK and Richard Hamilton Seattle, WA; sisters Candy Cornell Fall City, WA and Joy Craig Ketchikan, AK; aunt Hazel Hamilton Seattle, WA; uncle Fred Hamilton, Sr. Craig, AK; nephews Dean Moore, Bou Cornell, Daniel Hamilton, Jacob Hamilton, and Samuel Hamilton; nieces Kelly Stedman, Debbie Nicholson, and many cousins and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Donald M. Hamilton, Sr. and Margaret Bell Hamilton Logsdon.

Donna was raised in Ketchikan until 1962. She attended Kayhi High School and then graduated from King?s Garden in Seattle. Donna married Gerry Baptista on October 22, 1965 in Seattle, WA. Donna?s passions included raising and breeding Scottish Terriers and her activities with the Washington State Scottish Terrier Club.

Donna?s other passion was her Native heritage. She was very active in the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska - Washington Chapter and served as President and a delegate for many years. She was also active in the Haida Heritage Foundation and performed in the Native dance group and as a drummer with other dance groups. The dance group is called Seattle Haida Laas which Donna is a member. As a Sealaska shareholder, she collected proxies. Her picture appeared in the Sealaska August 2006 newsletter.

Donna also was instrumental in the beginning of the Haida Heritage Foundation, which started in 1984 by Haidas living in the Seattle area with the purpose of preserving the culture and educating the youth in traditional Haida songs, dances, language, and art. She also took a Haida language class.

Donna Rae will be honored at a Fellowship to be held by the Haida Laas Dance Group on Sunday, November 5th, 2006 at 3:00pm at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center in Discovery Park Seattle, WA. There will be Native dancing and Native food.

Memorial donations can be sent to Seattle Haida Laas Dance Group 18320 - 73rd Avenue West, Edmonds, WA 98026.