Donna Mae Starkey's Obituary
Donna Mae Starkey departed this life on December 12, 2020. She was born on March 5, 1934.
Donna is survived by a sister Joan Lansburgh, her three children, Cindi Caruso, Sherine Amick and son-in-law Clarence (Bud), and Kit Caruso and daughter-in-law Phyllis, six grandchildren; Monique, Jackie, Stephanie, Nicole, Kimberly and Erica and ten great grandchildren.
She had amassed many friends and co-workers from across the United States who enjoyed her beautiful smile, contagious passion and courteous mannerisms.
As a young family she and her husband Pete relocated the family from Ashtabula, Ohio to California where they enjoyed camping and visiting the many beautiful sites in California and then finally moved to Oregon.
Most of her professional life was dedicated to helping people, as her employment was as a secretary to police dispatcher, to purchasing assistance to high school Spanish educator then finishing off her career as a tax consultant.
As an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, she spent time as an urban affairs government assistant in the city of Houston helping disadvantaged families.
She loved learning, obtaining her master’s degree in Urban Studies from Portland State University and participating in a year abroad program in Spain. She also spent time as a PH. D candidate at Texas Southern University.
She loved music and would often tell people how she excelled to first chair in clarinet when she played in high school. Later she took piano lessons and sang in the church choir to feed her passion for music.
She loved life, her family and friends and raised her family to always do the right thing for others.
Her body can be viewed at Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens on Wednesday December 16, 2020 from 2p.m. – 4p.m.
She will be buried on Friday at 2:00p.m. December 18th after a graveside service at Columbia Memorial Gardens in Scappoose, Oregon.
She will be greatly missed.
What’s your fondest memory of Donna?
What’s a lesson you learned from Donna?
Share a story where Donna's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Donna you’ll never forget.
How did Donna make you smile?
