Dona Jane (Donaldson) Ahern (March 9, 1933 - February 4, 2024) Seattle, Washington

Dona was born in Seattle, to Cora and Paul Donaldson. She grew up on Capitol Hill with her older brother Donald and attended St. Patrick's Elementary School, Holy Names Academy and Seattle University, where she obtained a B.A. in 1955 (and later, her master's degree). She met the love of her life, Frank, teaching Sunday school at St. Patrick's in 1957. They were married for 55 years before his passing in 2013. He always told us that he "won the wife lottery" and he was not wrong.

Dona is survived by her six children: Theresa Ahern (John Greaney), Rosemary Leifer (Randy), Jeanne Sommerville (Tad), Paul Ahern (Regina), Ruth Caple (Phil) and Mary Thompson (Lincoln). We hit the jackpot in the "Mom lottery" as well. She adored and was adored by her 16 grandchildren: Gayle (Brian), Katie, Ian (Kristal), Blake, Nolan, Connor (Mande), Joe, Allyson, Evan, Blaine, Hannah, Rachel, Toby, Cole, Emma and Kellie and three great grandchildren: Rylan, Lydia and newly arrived Grant. Similarly, they won the "Grandma lottery". She made the best multi-ingredient pies and toasted cheese sandwiches on the planet (especially when she remembered to take them out of the oven in time). We all miss her terribly, but are comforted by the fact that she had a long and wonderful life.

Her funeral will be on March 9 (her 91st birthday) at St. Paul's Church in Seattle at 10:30 a.m. A rosary will be held at the same venue on March 8 at 7 p.m. Our Mom had many favorite charities, one in particular was St. Francis House in Seattle. We know she would appreciate a donation to any charity of your choice.

For more information about this incomparable woman's life, please visit: https://bartonfuneral.com/category/obituaries