Donna Smith Gatton

Donna Koerbel Gatton passed away peacefully at home on January 6, 2022. Born Donna Louise Smith in Tacoma, Washington on March 23,1931, Donna was the only child of Mildred Barnes and Don Carlos Smith, and was preceded in death by her first husband Don Allan Koerbel (1990), her second husband Clarence Eugene Gatton (2018), and a son Craig Allan Koerbel (2004).

She is survived by her daughter Patricia Koerbel Adair (John) and son Keith Howard Koerbel, step-daughter Mary Anne Gatton (Kourush), step-son David Gatton (Alla), grandchildren Keturah, Ethan, Dolores, Megan, and Paige, and step-sister Georgeanne W. Sigwald. Her loving family includes sisters-in-law Marilyn Carol Heflin and Rosalind Jean Jackson, niece Vickie Long (Charles) and nephew Roy Heflin, Brice Long (Amy) and baby Rowan.

Donna truly enjoyed working at George Mason University for nearly thirty years, first in the Registrar’s office and then as an academic advisor in the Athletics Department. She took a personal interest in her students. She happily made it her mission to insure the students were on the right track to graduation. There are many former GMU students who obtained their degree because of her patience and guidance.

Donna never met a stranger and was pleased to engage in conversation to make a new friend. She was always able to find common ground as well as something unique about everyone she met. Donna touched many lives with her kindness and generosity. She will be forever missed by her close family and many friends.

A graveside service for Donna is now scheduled for Saturday, March 19th at 11 am at National Memorial Park in Falls Church (7482 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, VA). Following the service, her family is gathering at Captain Pell’s Fairfax Crabhouse in Fairfax, VA. We’d love to have Donna’s friends and neighbors join us. The crabs are on Donna (as always!)