Donna (LaDonna) Worley's Obituary
Donna Worley, age 80, of Scappoose, OR, passed away March 5, 2024, at Columbia Care Center in Scappoose, OR.
Donna was born LaDonna Mae Mary Hassenstab on January 21, 1944 in Salem, OR to Leona Gilg. Donna’s extended family was from Alliance, NE.
Donna attended several schools in the Salem, OR area during her childhood: St Joseph Grade School in Salem, one year at Mt. Angel boarding school in Mt. Angel and high school at Sacred Heart Academy in Salem. She started college at Mt. Angel College in Mt. Angel and then one semester at Marylhurst College in Marylhurst, OR before needing to leave college due to illness. Forty-four years after starting college, raising children, and working in libraries, Donna completed her Bachelor’s degree at Washington State University.
Donna first talked to David Worley at the Mt. Angel College library, though she said she remembered seeing him in church when they were children. They married on August 28, 1965 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Salem, OR. They lived their early years together in Portland, OR, where David worked as a parochial grade school teacher and Donna worked as a stay-at-home mom. They had three children in three and half years.
In 1972, the State of Oregon bought their southeast Portland house to build Interstate 205. They then moved to St. Helens, OR for a third teaching job (the first two schools had closed). Two years later, the third school closed. Rather than move again for another teaching job, David began his 41 year career as a baker for Safeway. As Donna liked to say, “God doesn’t shut a door without opening a window.” In 1991, they moved to Scappoose, OR.
To earn extra money throughout the years, Donna sold Tupperware. She continued various levels of involvement in Tupperware for over 40 years. She loved meeting people and the fellowship with other women. It was easy for Donna to make connections within a room of strangers anywhere, because she was gregarious and friendly. David often waited for her while she talked to newfound friends.
Libraries had a special place in Donna’s heart. Throughout the years, she worked at the Multnomah County Central Library, as a floater at all Portland Community College locations, Lower Columbia Community College Library, and Scappoose Public Library. It was while working at Lower Columbia College that she was able to take classes for only $5 each as a WA state employee and finish her college degree.
Donna had many hobbies and constantly tried new activities. She often entered, and won, county and state fair baking contests. Her rhubarb pie and cinnamon rolls were family favorites. Donna learned to sew from her mother and made clothes and costumes for her children and grandchildren. Her love of reading showed in her love of words and language. Donna often had a word puzzle book close by and her Scrabble scores were usually unbeatable. She also wrote clever poem clues for her children to find hidden Easter baskets.
Volunteering was a way of life for Donna. While in high school, she volunteered at the Fairview Home in Salem, reading bible stories and acting them out for residents and she worked as a candy striper at her local hospital. Any time one of her kids was involved in a bake sale or fundraiser, she would make a delicious treat. She and David stocked shelves at their church food bank in Scappoose, calling themselves “night stockers”. Her mother’s time in an adult foster home prompted her to become a volunteer Ombudsman for Columbia County. This reflected her belief in the value of life at any stage. In the 2010s, she was chosen by the Columbia County Retired Senior Volunteer Program to be the Scappoose Princess for her abundance of volunteer work.
Donna’s faith was very important to her, even as a little girl. She always enjoyed going to church, often helping in one way or another. As a young girl, she assisted with mass and throughout her adult life, she played the organ, was a reader and Eucharistic minister for mass, learned sign language to sign the readings at mass, and taught Sunday school students for many years.
Donna was preceded in death by her mother, Leona (Nepper) Gilg.
Donna is survived by her devoted husband, David Worley, her children, Joseph (Carol) Worley of Bonnie Lake, WA, Susan (Jerry) Vanderwerf of Scappoose, OR, and Matthew (Julie) Worley of Portland, OR, ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
The funeral mass for Donna will be held on Monday, March 18, 11 a.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Scappoose, OR, with a brief interment ceremony afterward at the church cemetery. All are welcome to a reception in the church hall following the services.
The family greatly thanks the staff at Columbia Care Center for their truly excellent compassionate and professional care.
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