Donna M. Storey

Donna Eldred Storey, 71, passed away June 8, 2004 at her home in Seattle. She was born August 25, 1932 in Schenectady, New York to Don Eldred and Dorothy Clancy Eldred. Her older sister was Dolores Mae. They lived in New York until she was five and then her family moved to Los Angeles. They spent ten years in the City of Angels and she and her sister became true California girls ? sunglasses and pedal pushers everyday.

After her mother remarried, the family decided to move to West Seattle. They moved into a beach house just off Alki Point. A little sister soon joined the family, Patricia. The sisters and their friends loved playing at the beach and rowing around the Sound in their small boat. Donna graduated from West Seattle High School in 1950. She began working at the downtown J.C. Penney?s store. She designed and ?dressed? the large window displays to entice people into the store. She was very talented and her love for beautiful things was born.

She met her future husband, Robert Storey, in 1952. They were both working at the downtown Sears store. After he enlisted in the Air Force, she married him during one of his weekend leaves in Denver, Colorado. They were stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida and then Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. At the end of his tour of duty, he and Donna moved back to Seattle and settled down in West Seattle.

Bob went to the U.W. on the G.I. bill and Donna began working for United Control which was located in the University Village area. She worked on the assembly line making electronic equipment. When an opportunity became available in the Illustration Department she was able to put her talents for drawing and design to work. She drew the parts and assemblies for components that United Control produced. When United Control became involved in the U.S. space program?s lunar module development, Donna drew many of the parts that were used to build it.

In 1966, her son Brian was born. To be close to her husband?s family they moved to Broadview. In this new neighborhood, she made the friends that would remain throughout her life. She introduced Brian to the Arts and music. As a family they enjoyed spending vacations visiting relatives in San Luis Obispo, California. They always tried to visit Disneyland while they were there. As he grew, Donna taught Brian how to treat people with love, respect, and compassion.

She enjoyed surrounding herself and her family with items that brought a smile to her face. She had a penchant for soft fabrics and lovely clothes. She also loved the country look and her home was filled with cows, teddy bears, and angels.

Her health was not good in the last few years of her life. She spent a lot of time in hospitals and in convalescent homes. Then, last July, Bob died. After that she had only one desire, to get home. Her son Brian arranged for in-home care and Donna got her wish. She was confined to a wheelchair but her spirit was not. She continued to find joy in the things she loved.

She passed on with her son?s forehead touching her own. She was a kind, loving woman who believed in angels. She will be missed by her loving son Brian and his wife Tammi. She also will be fondly remembered by her friends and family.