Donna Noreen Swanson

Donna N. Swanson, was born 4-16-32 in Seattle, WA.

Was preceded in death by her parents, sister Dolores, and son Danny.

Spent most of school years in Hoquiam, WA and graduated in 1950. She was employed by Boeing for 36 years then retired in 1994.

Had three boys: Kenny, Danny, and Bruce Anderson, whom she dearly loved. Danny was married and had a daughter, Maria McMCrackin. Maria married Steve and they have a son Max. Donna loved her boys, granddaughter, and great grandson - her family was very important to her.

She was very active in Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority, Mu Tau Chapter, and held many offices. She loved to bowl and was a Secretary on her league for many years. She also belonged to Canasta, Pinochle, and Bunco groups.

She volunteered for many years at the Puget Sound Blood Center. Donna enjoyed going to church and sang in the choir. She also loved and enjoyed her many friends.

She has always had and loved her dogs. Her dogs, Charlie, Tuffy, Bandit, Ginger, Freddy, Shawnee. Her favorite hymm is "The Power of Your Love".

After 36 years as an Executive Secretary to Boeing Company directors, Donna Swanson retired with the idea that she wanted to give something back to the community. When North Center volunteer Roy Briggs introduced her to the Puget Sound Blood Center, she began registering donors at North Center, Everett, and now Lynnwood. "I loved the interaction of welcoming donors and feel that I'm making a small contribution," Donna said. Donna's invaluable expertise in office and reception skills is a huge contribution to our organization. She now trains new volunteers in donor registration. Donna shares her time with her "very special" black Labrador, Ginger, her two "wonderful" sons, Bruce and Kenny, her "darling" granddaughter, Maria, and great-grandson, Max. Donna is secretary and member of two bowling leagues and belongs to Canasta, Bunco and Pinochle clubs. She is also active in her church and Sigma Phi Gamma International Sorority, which participates in many, wonderful philanthropies. Donna is a supportive member of our team and always makes our donors feel welcome and appreciated.

I MISS MY MOMMY!

My Mom was born on April 16th , 1932. Grew up in Hoquiam Washington during the great depression. Life was hard. She lost her Mom when she was 4 years old. Her father was a fisherman that was out to sea 6 to 8 months a year. During her father's absence her and her sister, Dolores were boarded up with numerous different families. With Mrs. White being her favorite when she was between 8 to 12 years old. They kept in touch until Mrs. White passing a decade or so ago.

Growing up in Hoquiam, which was hit especially hard during the great depression, my Mom would work as a babysitter, house and yard cleaner, I think she even worked at the movie theater to help pay the bills. But her favorite job was working for the U.S. Forest Service at Lake Quinault on the peninsula.

In school she enjoyed athletics. She loved competitive basketball and swimming. She spent many summer weekends swimming in Hood Canal. And later in life she would regularly go to Moclips, a small, quiet costal community, up the coast from Hoquiam on the Pacific Ocean.

Her main job she had was at the Boeing Company. Where they treated women like second class citizens. But she made it work and raised 3 sons as a single Mom. Amazing! After 36 years with the Boeing Company, she retired in May of 1994. She always said the best thing about working at Boeing were all the friends she made and missed seeing them every day after she retired.

In retirement she kept busy bowling in 2 to 3 leagues a year. She was the bowling secretary for decades. She joined a Sorority, Sigma Phi Gamma International in 1982. And was still active until her passing. The sorority would raise money for charity, like Battered Women, the Burn Center, the Union Gospel Mission and others. She volunteered working at the Puget Sound Blood Center, until she slipped and broke her hip ( at the Blood Center ).

She loved her Churches; in her younger years she loved singing in the chior.

She always wanted to be around friends. Playing canasta, pinochle, bridge and many other games. And of course, the casino. The slots were her a passion, when younger she was quite good at blackjack. And enjoyed getting her hair done on Fridays at 11:00 by her good friend Laura Wentworth.

She loved her dogs, Charlie not sure what breed, Tuffy a yellow lab, Bandit a Malamute, Ginger a small lab, Freddy a mix border collie - flat coat retriever and now, still here, Shawnee a mixed breed that misses his Mommy oh so much.

She dedicated her life to being nice, always polite, and wanting to help others. She donated money to numerous causes like Paws, PVA Veterans, Boy Town, Saint Joesph, Church, Union Gospel, Fire and Police, VFW, Tunnel to Towers and many others.

No matter what would happen she would always have a positive attitude, find the good things in everyone, never being rude or unpleasant. Always being the most forgiven, helpful, understanding person I knew. She was the living embodiment of the spirt of the Lord Jesus Christ.

On February 25th, she had a heart attack. The next two weeks she spent in Providence Edmonds Medical Center in Edmonds, Washington. While there she told me "that she has lived long enough and it was time to go".

I had no idea how losing my Mom would make me feel so empty. I have giant holes in each of my heart and soul. I love and miss my Mommy so much.

I love you Mommy, be with Jesus...........

TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED MOTHER

FROM HER ELDEST SON, KEN ANDERSON.

I loved my Mother very much, she loved people, love animals, loved spring and summer weather and flowers. She sang in a choir for many years, loved church and the many people that were part of the church, she would volunteer a lot and participate in Church activities when available. She loved the oceans and the forests, found great pleasure in visiting her many friends and traveling to see them. She did not show ill feelings; she was always positive and loving. She loved the family and our relatives, found great pleasure in all her school friends, and really found great pleasure in reconnecting with her friends. in closing she was the greatest most loving, nicest person I have every know, GOODBYE MOTHER, I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART, SHAWNIE AND I MISS YOU AND HOPE YOU FIND PEACE, LOVE AND HAPPINESS SEE YOU SOON, LOVE YOU KEN!!!!