DONA EVERETT

1930 - 2015

Dona Everett Dona Wanda Everett died on December 21, 2015 at Life Care Center at South Hill, Puyallup. She had been in declining health for the past year. Dona was born May 13, 1930 in Tacoma, WA to Oscar and Pauline Schrupp; she was the youngest of three children and was preceded in death by her parents, brother Roland Schrupp, and sister Beth Schrupp. Dona married a returning WWII veteran, Ross Everett, on Jan. 10, 1947. He died in December of 2001, just short of their 55th anniversary. When her youngest child started school, Dona enrolled at Pacific Lutheran University and completed a full Bachelor of Arts program in three years, graduating magna cum laude. She began teaching English at Lakes High school in 1965, and was a valued part of the English department for 30 years. Dona was often asked to write letters of recommendation for her students' college applications, a task she took seriously. Over the years she received several letters of appreciation from college admissions offices, including the US Naval Academy and MIT, thanking her for the depth and quality of those letters. Dona's highest commitment was to her family. She and Ross had five children. She made sure her children had a solid Christian as well as a secular education, understood and practiced good manners, included all classmates in grade school birthday parties, and that everyone had piano and swimming lessons. The house was full of books. Mom listened to opera on 45 records and played Sigmund Romberg on the piano. At the end of her life, listening to music was one of her greatest comforts. Dona is survived by her children Douglas Everett, Janice (Neil) Blindheim, Patricia (James) Yeilding, LeeAnn (Carl) Lucas, and Christine (Gary) Wick. She also leaves 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, Ross Yeilding, Janet Yeilding, Anna Blindheim, Claire (Brian) Kucera and Rhys Kucera, Everett (Hattye) Blindheim, Randall Lucas (Amaris) and step-grandson Zeke Hawley, Russell (Kelly) Lucas and Shelley Lucas, Amanda Lucas (Rich Wind) and step-grandson Joel Wind, Jeff (Corrine) Lucas and Grace and Carl Lucas, Owen Wick, Duncan (Kari) Wick and Ella Wick, Kathryn (Dan) Strojan and Gavin and Emily Strojan. Dona also leaves many nieces and nephews in the extended Everett and Schrupp family. The family would like to thank Life Care Center on South Hill, Puyallup, for their outstanding and sometimes creative care of our mother during her final illness. The family also appreciated the friendship and kindness extended to Dona over the years by her neighbor Nancy Simms. A service in celebration of Dona's life will be held on January 13, 2016 at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, 4420 North 41st Street, at 2:00 pm. A reception at the church will follow the service.