Obituary of Donna Gail Brunetti

Donna Gail Brunetti July 8, 1934 – April 12, 2012 Donna was born in 1934 to Milo and Ilda Dickgieser in Olympia, Washington. She had three siblings, Milo Dickgieser, Jr. (who preceded her in death), Jim Dickgieser, and Lonnie Crumley. They lived in the Olympia area before moving to Hadlock, Washington. Donna graduated from Chimacum High School in 1952. After graduating, she worked at the Port Townsend paper mill. In 1956, Donna married John Brunetti. Together they had two children, Denise (Wilkins) and John D. Brunetti. They lived in Hadlock until 1965 when they moved to Hoodsport, Washington, where they raised their children. Donna enjoyed living in the Hood Canal area where she could swim, dig clams, and picnic with her family. She also loved trips to the ocean where she could relax by walking on the beach or playing in the sand. Fishing for trout with her husband, children, mother, brothers and sister-in-law was another of her favorite pastimes. Donna loved spending time with her family, especially when her brothers and sister-in-law, Joan, nieces and nephews would stop by to chit chat and have a cup of coffee. This was a way of life living on the Canal. While living in Hoodsport, Donna would spend time with her good friend, Virginia Grout, drinking coffee, visiting and taking their children on outings. Donna loved to cook and was an excellent baker. She was also a very good seamstress. Donna later divorced from John Brunetti in 1976. She then went to technical college and started working for the State of Washington. Soon she moved to Olympia, Washington, where, in her new home, she enjoyed gardening and planting a variety of beautiful flowers. As time went on, her children grew up and married, Denise to Steve Wilkins and John to Angela (Giles). Donna has three grandchildren, Heather, Anna Wilkins and Bryce Brunetti. She loved spending time with the grandchildren and taking them to town so they could shop, eat out, and watch movies. Donna also spent a lot of time with her nephews, Jessie and Bret Crumley, her brother Lonnie’s children. She would babysit them occasionally and they would help her with her flower gardens. On weekends, Lonnie and his wife Brett would stop by for dinner, usually pizza or Chinese, and this was always a joyful time. Donna thought a lot of her niece, Sherrie (Dickgieser) and her husband, Bob Shold, and their two children, Geoffrey Rosbach and Gregory Shold. Donna always loved having family get together; especially memorable were the Fourth of July reunion at Fort Flagler and Christmas. Another family time she enjoyed was a trip to Hawaii in 1998 at Christmas with her son John, wife Angie, grandson Bryce, and Agnie’s parents, Gene and Wanda Giles. She went snorkeling in the ocean with grandson Bryce and Wanda; every time they stood up, they laughed hysterically. Also, she spent time vacationing in Reno, Nevada. Donna eventually retired from the Washington State Patrol in 2001, where she worked in communications access; she was very fond of her co-workers. Donna loved and cared for all of her family and friends. She will be missed very much by all. Please leave memories of Donna or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.