Donna Verlea Guerin, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, 93, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at home with her two daughters, son-in-law and a longtime caregiver at her side.

Born in Helix, oregon, to Harry Herbert and Blanche Louise (Gaines) Hicks on September 9, 1920, she later moved with her family to Yakima. There she graduated from high school in 1938. It was in Yakima, at age 16, that she met and later married the love of her life, Raymond Napoleon Guerin. After the birth of their first child, Ronald Ray, they moved to Seattle, where two daughters, Trudi Ann and Linda Lee, were born.

Donna spent many years as a stay at home mom. She was an amazing seamstress who kept the family well dressed. She was also an excellent cook and a very talented artist. Her family is blessed with many fine pieces of her work.

When Ray started Guerin Manufacturing Company in 1955, Donna surprised him by getting her drivers license, then became his company president, bookkeeper and delivery gal. After their business relocated to Edmonds, then Lynnwood, she became an active member of both the Suburbanite and Soropotomist Clubs.

Following Ray’s retirement in 1985, they traveled extensively in their motorhome. They joined several motorhome clubs and made many lasting friendships. After selling the motorhome, they moved to Sunland in Sequim to be near their daughters.

Donna was a strong, resilient, vibrant and fun-loving, classy lady. She loved games, parties, picnics and dancing. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. We believe that she is now with Ray; her son, Ronald; parents; brothers, Warren and Herbert; and grandsons, Patrick and Casey Gooch, who preceded her in death.

She leaves behind her daughters, Trudi (Toby) Elofson and Linda (Michael) Gooch; granddaughters, Leslie (Michael) Bakker, Deborah (Frank) Dotoli, Cally Tauran, Megan (David) Schmidlkofer; 10 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was the woman behind the man.

Relatives and friends are invited to join a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. On Sunday, September 28, 2014 at the home of Linda and Mike Gooch, 4629 Happy Valley Rd., Sequim.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Seattle Children’s Hospital, Ronald Ray Guerin Endowment, P.O. Box 50020, Seattle, WA 98145 or www. seattlechildrens.org