Obituary: Walling, Donna Marie (Peters)
Age 63
Her final few days were spent saying goodbye to family and friends, and her husband and daughters were with her when she gently passed away, succumbing to kidney failure due to multiple sclerosis.
Donna was born February 4, 1952 in Spokane, Washington and lived her entire life in the Spokane Valley area.
A graduate of East Valley High School, she was active in her church and community, giving selflessly of her time and talents to the women’s group at the Community Church of the Bible as well as the Trent Elementary PTA.
An avid reader, she finished many novels and read Bible passages in her favorite rocking chair.
She was diagnosed with MS in 1989, and while it slowly robbed her of mobility, she remained the loving, thoughtful person she had always been.
Despite multiple health issues, she had an incredible internal strength to overcome them.
She loved to keep up with family news and never missed an opportunity to let her family know how much she loved them.
She adored her grandchildren, and they loved her right back, using nicknames “Gram Cracker” and “Gramma Doughnut.”
During her later years, she moved into Sunshine Gardens nursing care facility.
Donna’s family would like to specifically thank the staff there for the compassionate, patient, and attentive care she received while living there.
Donna always said her calling in life was to be a mother, even from a young age.
Although she spent a few years working as a teller at Horizon Credit Union and as office manager Cascade Computers, her true love was being a mom not only to her two daughters, but also to other relatives when needed.
As her daughters brought sons-in-law into her life, she loved and cared about them as if they were her own.
She even became a second mother to some of the people she met at Sunshine Gardens, taking a genuine interest in their lives and families.
She entertained other residents by hosting Thursday story time, reading to an appreciative group.
Donna imparted a lot of wisdom, life skills, and family values to her children, family, and friends, always with a sense of humor.
She loved to tell stories and listen to stories from others, often reacting with, “oh good grief!”
Donna’s many qualities will live on in her husband of 45 years, Randal L. Walling, daughter Angie (Eric) Lobdell of Spokane Valley, and Connie (Stan) Butcher of Post Falls, her six grandchildren Jake (Raquel), Noah, Michaela, Rachel, Ben, and Josh.
Also her brother Les (Sheila) Peters of Spokane Valley, sister Debbie McLean of Spokane Valley, sister Darlene Budwick of Port Henry, New York, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
All will deeply mourn losing her at such a young age, but fondly remember so many happy memories with our dear, sweet Donna.
In heaven, Donna joins her parents Peter Peters and Irene Peterson, and her sister Diane Strange for a happy reunion, free of pain, disease, and suffering.
She will no doubt be caring for all the little babies she can find and telling funny stories to the children there.
At Donna’s request, there will not be a funeral service.
Her ashes will be interred at Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest chapter.