Donna Joyce Sjoquist

Donna was born on September 10, 1929 in Arlington WA with full name: Donna Joyce Stowe. Her mother and maternal grandparents were early pioneers of the town of Arlington and the Stillaguamish Valley. Her mother, Mary Funk, married Earl Stowe and had two children, Douglas and Donna. The family lived in the town of Arlington and also nearby in the small community of Trafton, WA for several years.

Donna graduated from Arlington High School in 1947 and during her high school years she was the editor of the yearbook and a member of the band. Also during that time Donna was the Marysville Strawberry queen in 1946.

After high school, Donna went to beauty school in Seattle and afterwards bought a hair salon in the Beacon Hill neighborhood where she managed the business by herself. Donna met Bernard Sjoquist and they were married in 1950, having two children: Denis and Steven.

Donna and Bernie lived in various places over the years - Lake City, Portland, Fallon NV, and finally settling permanently in Shoreline WA.

Donna was a faithful member of Bethel Lutheran Church of Shoreline and served in many capacities. She had a servant’s heart and was very involved in women’s ministry including the quilting group, the prayer team, and making coffee for the congregation every Sunday morning for many years, affectionately becoming known as “The Coffee Lady”. She was always willing to help.

Other ways that Donna served was to do many things for family and friends, including hair styling.

She also had several hobbies that she enjoyed which included sewing, needlework and most of all cooking. Donna loved hosting meals and everyone looked forward to her cooking.

Thanksgiving and Christmas meals were special favorites and Donna always had many dishes in order to please absolutely everyone who attended. In order to manage these extensive meals, Donna wrote many detailed lists days in advance so everything would be organized, done in order, and placed in the right bowl or dish when done. Even though she did not grow up in a Scandinavian home, Donna learned how to cook some of the favorites of Swedish Christmas - including Lutefisk and Lefsa. However she always kept her English family traditional Christmas dessert of Suet Pudding with hard sauce as the pinnacle of the Christmas meal. (along with cookies, ice cream with hot fudge, and other things)

Interesting historical facts:

• Donna was a 12th generation descendant of William and Mary Dyer of Rhode Island, colonial America. Mary Dyer has a statue in front of the Massachusetts State House in Boston.

• Jonah Stow (6 generations ago) fought in the revolutionary war on the American side. This is documented in the roster of the siege of Boston (including the battle of Bunker Hill)

• The Stowe line merged with the Dyer line 3 generations ago when Solomon Asaph Stowe married Mary Dyer (name sake). Solomon was Donna’s great grandfather.

Donna passed away on November 19, 2020 in Kirkland, WA. She is survived by her brother Doug, her two sons and their wives, Denis and Lorrie, Steve and Darla. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

These are as follows:

Denis and Lorrie’s family:

• Daughter, Bekki and husband Dan Kiley, daughter Maija

• Son, Lukas

Steve and Darla’s family:

• Daughter, Christina and husband Stephen Medawar, children Josiah and Linnea

• Son, Nathan and wife Amy

• Son, Timothy and wife Laura