Donna Maureen (Gaither) Selby

Donna Selby

1934-2023

Donna Maureen Gaither Selby was born on April 15, 1934, in Kit Carson, Colorado, to Leland Gaither and Virginia Forrest, and spent her childhood in Kit Carson and Alamosa, moving to Wheatridge, Colorado when she was 15. She graduated in 1952 from Wheatridge High School, and one year later married her high school sweetheart, Joe Selby, whom she met in the junior class play. Her three children, Brooke, Doug, and Lisa, were born in 1955, 1957, and 1959. After some early moves, the family returned to Colorado in 1960, living in Denver and then Lakewood. Joe and Donna moved to Quincy, Washington, in 1975, and to Maple Valley, WA in 1990, where they lived until 2022.  Donna passed away on August 28, 2023, in Auburn, WA, at the age of 89.

Donna had diverse and fulfilling careers. She worked in various office manager roles, served as the library clerk at Manning Junior High in Lakewood, Colorado, and served with great enthusiasm for 15 years as the Chamber of Commerce Manager in Quincy, WA. Additionally, she and her beloved husband, Joe Selby, were the proud owners of the Maple Valley Dairy Queen from 1990 to 2001.
Donna's true joys lay in spending time with her cherished family and friends. She found great happiness in loving and supporting others, and touched the lives of many through her warm and selfless nature and her radiant smile. Donna had a special talent for sending heartfelt greeting cards, always taking the time to let those she loved know how much they meant to her, making her famous potato rolls and cinnamon rolls, and attending her grandchildren's sports and special events.

Donna found solace and strength in her faith. She was an active member of St. George Episcopal in Maple Valley, WA, where she found comfort and community, and especially loved her work with the St. Anne's Guild.

She will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her devoted husband of 70 years, Joe Selby; her daughter Brooke Selby Dillon and son-in-law, Mark Dillon; her son, Doug Selby, and wife, Lori Selby; her daughter Lisa Selby Oswald; her 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Gayle Gaither. Donna was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Saundra Gaither Clark.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Donna's life on Saturday, September 9, at 1:00 p.m. at St. George Episcopal, located at 24219 Witte Road, Maple Valley, WA. All who knew and loved Donna are invited to attend and share in the memories of her remarkable life. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made in Donna's honor to the Alzheimer's Foundation or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. These organizations were close to her heart, and your support will help make a difference in the lives of those affected by these conditions.
 

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