Obituary of Donna Gentry

During the evening of November 30, 3022, Donna Gentry quietly slipped away from this life to join her husband of 72 years and many family members who have gone before.

 

Donna was born August 2, 1931, to George and Marie Thomas of Longview, Washington. She and five of her six siblings grew up during the Great Depression. Their father tragically died when Donna was seven years old. Throughout her life, she and her siblings valued their time together and remained close.

 

The family was no stranger to hard work and sacrifice, creating a strong desire in all the siblings to rise above their circumstances and create good lives for themselves and their families, which they did.

 

In 1950, Donna married the love of her life, Elmer W. Gentry, also from Longview. They moved from Longview and raised their two daughters in the Tacoma area. 

 

Donna and Elmer were true partners, constantly working and planning for the life they dreamed of. Although they worked hard, they also played and got to enjoy some of the fruits of their labor, camping, boating, and helping their community.

 

Donna was an involved mother when her girls were young. Both girls have wonderful memories of her reading to them, developing their love of books, which they passed to their own children. While her girls were growing, so did Donna. She was a hard worker and a quick learner. Initially, she held several jobs in different fields, then studied real estate, becoming a successful licensed realtor and investor.

 

When she and Elmer retired, they had plans to travel, which were cut short as each of them began to have health problems that short-circuited their plans. Even so, they made the most of their time together and found much enjoyment in their local community of air-stream trailer owners who often traveled together.

 

Donna leaves behind her two daughters, one son-in-law, six grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren, two siblings, four sisters-in-law, and 29 nieces/nephews and their families, all of whom were very dear to her.

 

Donna was a strong and determined person and loved her family, always doing as much for them as she could, always wanting a better life for her children, grandchildren, and other family members.

 

We will hold her memory close to our hearts as we each remember what was dear to us. 

 

Donna will be inurned with her husband, and rest in peace with him at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.

 

Friends and family who wish to send a remembrance of Donna are invited to consider a donation to the Maple Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), 22531 SE 218th St., Maple Valley, WA 98038. This fine organization is comprised of selfless volunteers who provide memorial services to U.S. military members who are laid to rest at the Tahoma National Cemetery. 

 

Elmer and Donna together again, forever and always.

 

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