Donna is the second of four children born to Fola and Phil Dietz, Sr. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 4th, 1944. Donna and her family moved to Portland, Oregon when she was about 4 years old. She attended kindergarten through high school within the Portland Public School system, graduating in 1962. She then went on to try college at Oregon College of Education, now known as Western Oregon University, in Monmouth.

After OCE, Donna moved back to Portland and began her working career. She worked for Blanchard Lumber and North Pacific Lumber in SE Portland and for ViewMaster in Beaverton.

In 1966, one of Donna's friends set her up on a date with the friend's fiance's Navy-friend. Donna remembered clearly that after that first date, she had met the man she was later going to marry ... Duncan Hinds. There was a four-year courtship and one day in late July 1970, Duncan gave her an ultimatum - either marry me now, or I'm going to reenlist for a 3rd term in the Navy. Donna couldn't resist this offer and 17 days later, on August 9th, they were married at Vernon Presbyterian Church in Portland.

Donna and Duncan settled into married life and starting a family. They had bought a small starter home in Beaverton with Duncan's VA benefits and not too far afterwards, Kristi was born on November 27th, 1973. Donna remembered that Duncan felt compelled to paint the concrete-slab back patio a turquoise color, so that the people in the airplanes overhead would think they had a pool. In spring/summer 1975, Donna realized she was pregnant again and that their starter home was too small to have another child. She and Duncan found some property in the outskirts of Oregon City and build a home from the ground up. The family of three moved into the new home in November 1975. Philip came along on January 21st, 1976.

Donna loved being a mommy and was very involved in her children's school and after-school activities. She was a Blue Bird leader, a PTA member, a Cub Scout helper and Boy Scout helper.

As the children got older, Donna felt it was time for her to go back to work. She went to Clackamas Community College to learn "computer" skills and to update her resume. She quickly found work with K&B Business Services and loved being an Accounting Clerk for them. She retired from K&B, on disability, in 1994, after approximately 6 years of service.

Donna had been fighting the battle of Diabetes from the time she was pregnant with Kristi until the very end. She slowly lost all feeling in her feet, lower legs and hands - what is commonly called "sock and glove" syndrome. She was also dealing with other health related issues resulting from the Diabetes, such as vision problems, heart problems and kidney and liver issues. Donna knew that Diabetes runs in her family and was always concerned for her children, hoping and praying that they wouldn't develop this awful disease. Unfortunately, Kristi is also Diabetic and dealing with some of the similar issues that Donna has also dealt with.

After the kids were grown and no longer needing a "mommy", Donna got more involved with her volunteer and charity work. She became more involved with Beavercreek United Church of Christ and with her Christian Women's Club. These organizations were something that kept her busy, on and off the computer. She also became more of a caregiver for her own mother, Fola. Donna was a very nurturing and loving person and knew that her mom could no longer live alone, so she asked Fola to move into the Hinds' family house. Fola lived with us until she passed in 1994.

In 2000, Donna was the doting mother when she was asked if Slade Garman could take her daughter Kristi's hand in marriage. Slade and Kristi married on September 22nd, 2001. Donna was at her best in her lavender dress at the wedding and was glowing with excitement and pride. Sadly, Slade passed shortly after the marriage had begun, in March 2004.

In 2007, still living with her son Phil, Donna and Phil moved out to a brand new house in Colton. Donna loved the new house & badly wanted to decorate it with family heirlooms and newly purchased items.

In late 2007, Donna developed an ulcer on her left heel. By February 2008 this had gotten so infected and unrepairable, that Donna lost her left leg below the knee. By the end of 2008 Donna was beginning to walk, ever so gingerly, with a prosthetic leg and a walker.




PDF Printable Version