Obituaries - March 3, 2011

Grace Doneen

Gila Grace Doneen, 91, former Oakesdale farm woman, died Feb. 26, 2011. Vigil service will be at 7 p.m. Monday, March 7, at Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home, 2203 N. Division St., Spokane. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 503 N. Walnut Rd., Spokane Valley.

Born Nov. 30, 1919, in Oakesdale, to Walter F. and Grace Brown Pickelsimer, Grace moved with her family at the age of three to a ranch near Miles, City, Mont. She graduated in 1937 from Custer County High School and attended Kinman Business School in Spokane. She worked at Brogan’s Hardware Store in Oakesdale prior to her marriage to John H. Doneen at Holy Rosary Parish, Rosalia, June 8, 1940. They farmed the Doneen ranch between Oakesdale and Farmington where they raised seven children, Larry, Byron, Kathleen (Koons), Susan (Caruso), John, Tim and Mark Doneen.

Upon retirement, Grace and John lived in Tekoa for 20 years. Following John’s death, Grace lived at Broadway Court Estates, Spokane Valley.

Grace was a devoted member of St. Catherine of Sienna (Oakesdale), Sacred Heart (Tekoa) and St. Mary’s (Spokane Valley) parishes. Grace’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends will remember her love, generosity and support, including the numerous dinners, picnics and Priest Lake outings she provided over many years.

Mrs. Doneen was preceded in death by a son Johnny in 1964, her husband of 60 years in 2000, and by grandson Eric Lease in 2007.

She is survived by one brother, David Keith Person of Nevada, six children, 17 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Online guestbook: http://www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

(See page 4B in the weekly paper section for more obituaries for Anise Askins, Donald D. White, Florence Cunningham, Kimberly Buergel and Lois Dixon.)