Donna J. Ottley

1925 - 2017

Donna J. Ottley passed away on March 23, 2017, four months to the day of losing her husband of 61 years. Donna was born in 1925, in the small town of Frankfurt, Kansas. Although she was raised in Oregon and spent most of her young life there, she met her husband in Anchorage, Alaska, on a visit in 1955, and soon called Anchorage home.
Donna's father moved the family from Kansas to Oregon when she was just a young girl. She was raised in Albany, Ore., and graduated from Albany High School in 1942. Prior to the war, she studied at the University of Oregon.
On a visit to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1955, she met her future husband. She eventually moved to Alaska and was married on July 19, 1956. They bought their first "new" home in Spenard for just over $4000.00, which still stands today. Donna worked for the State of Alaska before working her final 15 years with Alaska Title Guarantee as the V.P of Accounting before retiring.
Upon their retirement, Harold and Donna spent numerous years travelling in a 5th-wheeler across the United States and Canada. After a brief stay (7 years) in Hawaii, they eventually landed in Mesa, Ariz., as snowbirds, spending their summer months at home in Alaska.
Donna is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Harold Ottley; and her father and mother. She is survived by her children, Tom Ottley (Roxie) and Melissa Roberts (John); grandchildren, Ian Ottley, Morgan Ottley and Katie Anderson; and several great-grandchildren.
Donna had many hobbies during her retirement years, but loved most of all working with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the church's genealogy program. She also loved traveling and spending time with her family.
The family will receive friends for a dedication of life on April 22, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. at Dignity Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, 6747 E. Broadway Road in Mesa, Ariz., for a very informal blessing.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests your thoughts and prayers only.