Yvonne Donelson

6/6/1921 – 2/3/2013
Yvonne Donelson of Bellingham, WA died Sunday, February 3, 2013 with friends and family at her bedside at Mount Baker Care Center. She spent the last 5 1/2 years there after a stroke, and was lovingly cared for by staff, family, and many friends who continued to visit. As was the case throughout her life, her intelligence, quick wit, fierce spirit, and keen insight, coupled with a genuine interest in the well-being of everyone she met, made her a most welcome resident and community citizen.  Yvonne spent her early years in the UK where she became a nurse and midwife. She married Roland “Don” Donelson, a Yankee soldier, there in 1945. She imigrated to the United States after WWII. Her tales of war torn England, meeting Don Donelson, and crossing the Atlantic with hundreds of war brides and their babies on the Queen Mary are the stuff of family legend.  She and Don raised four children (Rowena, Richard, Ann, and Daniel) in California and Colorado.  She continued her career as a nurse while in California. When her children were grown, she started a preschool, The House at Pooh Corner, in Longmont, Colorado. She and Don retired to Bellingham, WA in the mid 1970s where she continued to be an active participant in non-profit organizations and sat on the board of directors for many of them, all the while caring for Don as he faced early onset Alzheimer’s.  Yvonne was especially dedicated to the ARC, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Area Agency on Aging, and the Garden Street Methodist Church. Throughout her life she was passionately involved in women’s rights, especially reproductive rights, and nurtured and empowered many women and girls.  She was also a founding member of the local chapter of the Older Women’s League and in later years participated in the local chapter of the National Association for Retired Federal Employees.  Yvonne is survived by her sister Edna Boyer, her brother Pete Shenton, her daughters Rowena Donelson and Ann Eastman (Jamie Eastman), her son Daniel Donelson, her granddaughters Tallie Jones (Mike Bajuk) and Kat Eastman, and her great-grandson Lewis Bajuk.  Yvonne will be missed tremendously – particularly at 4:00 (teatime!) and around the Scrabble board – and her love of life, her humor and intelligence, and her generosity of spirit will continue to inspire those who knew and loved her.  Nasta Caridad!  A memorial service of remembrance will be held March 23, 2013 at the Garden Street Methodist Church at 1:30PM. Donations to Planned Parenthood, or the charity of your choice would be greatly apperciated.