Dona P Stebbins Obituary (1934 - 2017)

Dona left this world peacefully on Saturday November 18, 2017 in Gig Harbor, Washington after a short illness. Dona was born in Roscommon, Michigan on August 10,1934, the oldest of 4 children, to Raymond and Adeline Roth. After graduating from Gerrish Higgins High School she moved to Lansing, Michigan and went to work for an insurance company, where she met, in her own words, "the most wonderful man in the world", Hyland Stebbins. Dona and Hy were married on October 16, 1954 in the Chapel at Michigan State University. They had one daughter, Karen Nadine Stebbins (Nicholas) in 1955. Dona and Hy were married for 55 years, moving from Lansing to Maryland and California before settling in Lakewood, Washington in 1969. Dona was a paralegal in the law firm of Gordon, Thomas, Honeywell for 20 years. Dona and Hy had a sailboat for 16 years and traveled throughout the north and south Puget Sound and Canada making many friends along the way. After selling their sailboat, they traveled extensively around the world for the next 20 years. Hyland passed away in 2009. Dona was an avid bridge player her entire life and especially loved duplicate bridge. She enjoyed going to the casinos, cooking and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority for more than 60 years. She is preceded in death by the love of her life Hyland, her mother Adeline Johnson, father Raymond Roth and her youngest sister Jeri Pokorzynski. She is survived by her daughter Karen and son in law Chris Nicholas, three beloved grandchildren, Rebecca Parkinson, Lara Nicholas, Jordan Nicholas, three great grandchildren, her sister Joyce Schulz and brother Charles Roth. A memorial service celebrating Dona's life will be held at University Place Presbyterian Church, 8101 27th St W, University Place, WA, on December 14, 2017 at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society in her name.