Donna Marcus, age 87, passed away on June 5, 2024, surrounded by friends and family. Born on December 1, 1936 in Hood River, Oregon, to Marguerite and Robert Marsh, Donna was a third-generation Oregonian with deep roots in the region. Her grandparents were among the first settlers to arrive in the Hood River Valley.
At age five, Donna moved to Portland with her mother and sister, Mary Kay. She went to Lynch View Elementary School and Gresham High School, where she developed life-long friendships and a passion for sports and activity clubs, becoming an avid skier and dancer. She was Snowball Queen for the Y-Teen dance and graduated with honors from Gresham High School in 1955.
In 1958, Donna married Don Marcus, and together they had a beautiful family of four children and many animals on their small but abundant farm in Eagle Creek, where they lived for five decades. Donna enjoyed a 28-year teaching career in the Estacada School District, where she inspired and nurtured countless students. Donna's upbringing during the Great Depression instilled in her a profound sense of humility and generosity. She lived a life of service, supporting libraries, blood drives, and organizations fighting poverty. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels for many years, often bringing members of her family to volunteer with her and instill in them the same giving spirit. A lover of nature and animals, Donna was a passionate gardener and an active member of the Gresham and Estacada Garden Clubs. She shared her love for the outdoors with her children and grandchildren, teaching them the joys of gardening, crafting, and environmental stewardship.
Donna's radiant optimism and ability to see the bright side of life endeared her to many. She made friends effortlessly and maintained some relationships for over 80 years, a testament to her loving spirit.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Don Marcus. She is survived by two brothers, Mike and Roger (Karen) Marble, her four children, Russ (Thonie), Ron (Deanna), David, and Deanna Marcus (Kirk Cook), five grandchildren, Kyle (Riley), Brett, Daniel (Caitlin), Cory (Cara) Marcus, and Sofia (Ben) Keller, and four great-grandchildren, Nora, Anna, Ivy, and Caden Marcus.
In lieu of flowers, Donna’s family asks that donations be made in her memory to the State Library of Oregon, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301.
Donna’s celebration of life will be held at Multnomah Grange #71, 30639 SE Bluff Rd, Gresham, Oregon 97080, on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 12PM.
If you’d like to attend Donna’s memorial, please RSVP to info@sdgmeditation.com. Space is limited.