Donna Louise "Thirty-Mile Cooper" Tripp

Donna Louise Tripp, 96, died July 27, ending a rich life filled with a love of the arts and the outdoors.
Born in Minneapolis to Emily (Ehle) Cooper and Donald Cooper, Donna graduated from West High School before matriculating at the University of Minnesota. She took her first ballet lessons at the age of three and began performing at age 11. Thwarted from a professional ballet career by her height (5' 10"), Donna developed a knack for teaching ballet and other dance styles. She ran the ballet studio at the prestigious MacPhail School of Music, instructing 299 students, while completing her undergraduate degree.
Three summers working at Glacier Park Lodge - as a maid, waitress and hostess - kindled a love of Western mountains, hitting the steep trails on her days off and earning the nickname "Thirty-Mile Cooper". Donna sang in the Lodge's Gearjammer revues, putting to use childhood voice and piano training.
Donna married Doug Tripp, a Colorado native, in 1953, settling in Anaheim two years later. The couple reveled in California nature, introducing their children, Phil and Louise, to backpacking, canoeing and snow skiing at an early age. Donna led a Girl Scout troop, whose members express gratitude for introducing them to horseback trail riding. Teen Scouts (both boys and girls) looked forward to the annual Colorado River trip, where an "armada" of canoes led by Doug and Donna transported the teens over a long weekend.
Although she took pride in a 27-year career at Bank of America as a business analyst, Donna's abiding passion was folk dancing. She taught international dance at the Long Beach Jewish Community Center between 1961 and 1985. Donna performed with the Gandy Dancers and the Hungarian group Betyarok, She ultimately specialized in Nordic dance, co-leading the Scandia Dancers, comprised of couples performing traditional dance in folk costume. The group displayed Donna's choreography at numerous festivals in Finland and Norway. For nearly 60 years, Donna nurtured, mentored and befriended hundreds of dancers.
When her dancing days ended, Donna savored traveling with Doug; devotedly following the Angels and Dodgers; and keeping up with world affairs. An avid reader with a keen mind, she was a student of history.
Donna was predeceased by Doug, who died in 2021 after 68 years of marriage, her parents and half-sister Jean. She is survived by her son, Philip Wayne, and his wife Berniece Foy of Jacksonville, Oregon; daughter Louise Kauffman and her husband W.P. "Foss" of San Clemente; grandchildren Peter, Thomas, Derek, Erika and McKenna; and great-grandchildren Ruthie and Arminius. Donna's family is grateful for the compassion and attention provided by Caring Senior Services during her final two years.
A memorial service for Donna will be held at the Hilgenfeld Mortuary chapel in Anaheim August 14 at 11 a.m. Burial at Riverside National Cemetery - reuniting her with Doug - will occur at a later date. Memorial donations in Donna's name can be made to Golden State Humane Society.