Michael Donlan

Our beloved father, grandfather, and brother, Michael "Mike" Donlan, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026.

Mike was born in Missoula, Montana. He graduated from Missoula County High School and Gonzaga University before earning his Doctor of Medicine from the Marquette University School of Medicine. He served in the U.S. Navy at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, California, and the U.S. Naval Hospital in Kaneohe, Hawaii. He later completed his pediatric residency at the University of Washington Department of Pediatrics and served as Chief Pediatric Resident at King County Hospital.

Mike's dedication to pediatrics had a lasting impact on the Spokane community. He helped establish many of the foundations of pediatric care in Spokane, including Children's Hospital, the Nurse Triage Line, the Baby Emergency Transportation System of the Inland Empire (BETSIE), the Spokane pediatric training site for the University of Washington School of Medicine, the Pediatric After-Hours Clinic at Sacred Heart Medical Center, the recruitment of neonatologists, and the creation of intensive care nurseries. He was also one of the founders of the Inland Northwest Genetic Clinic and served as its Medical Director for more than 25 years.

In his pediatric practice, Mike specialized in diabetes and endocrinology. He served on the Medical Board of the Inland Empire March of Dimes and the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. In recognition of his outstanding leadership and lifelong commitment to children's causes in the Inland Northwest, he received the Sacred Heart Children's Honor Award for lifetime achievement.

Mike served for many years as Medical Director of the Department of Pediatrics at Sacred Heart Medical Center. He was also a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington. Throughout his career, he held various leadership roles with the Washington State Society of Pediatrics, Sacred Heart Medical Center committees, and the Washington State Medical Association Child Health Committee.

Among his many passions, Mike especially loved experiencing the world through travel and cuisine. He shared that joy with both family and friends, exploring places such as Ireland, Thailand, and many others. When he wasn't traveling across the globe, Mike enjoyed a good road trip-especially if it included a stop at a museum or a local farm stand. He was also an avid reader of novels that explored the human experience and never passed up the chance to enjoy a great Broadway show.

He is survived by his children: Katie Stephens (Doug), Tom Donlan (Jeanne), Maureen Sorenson (Steve), and Timothy Donlan (Dennis); and by his grandchildren, Connor and Ian Stephens, Tyler and Zach Donlan, Jennifer and Patrick Sorenson, and Wagner Jumaquio. He is also survived by his brother, Patrick Donlan, and his partner, Darlene Laux.

He was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Patricia "Patty" Donlan; their daughter, Colleen; and his parents, Arthur and Marjorie Donlan.

A funeral service will be held at Assumption Church (3624 West Indian Trail Road, Spokane, WA) on April 18 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon reception will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Steam Plant (159 S Lincoln St, Spokane, WA).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, 1001 E 8th Ave, Spokane, WA 99202.