Dona Marie Harrington passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 8, 2016, at the “From the Heart” home in Pasco, WA.  The day before, she enjoyed time, conversation, and love with her three sons and daughter in-laws.

Dona was born on December 18, 1928 to Francis J. and Rita M. Hoy, at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis.  She enjoyed her childhood in Minnesota with endless stories of the Land-of-Lakes, the four seasons, and holidays with her two brothers Tom and Pat Hoy, sister Hallie Schoonmaker, and her life-long friend Janet Benavides of nearly 83 years.  At the sweet age of 16, her family moved to Chicago where she graduated from Hirsch High School.   Following graduation, she met the love of her life, Jack Allen Harrington.  Dona was a romantic who recounted her courtship with Jack and their memories of evening walks in the city parks where our Dad wooed her by removing his shirt and displaying his gymnastic athleticism on the parallel bars.  They were married on April 18, 1947, and shortly afterward gave birth to, and raised three sons. 

In 1969, Dad was transferred to Los Angeles, and they moved from a Chicago brick bungalow to a southern California split level home in Simi Valley.  In 1974, Mom and Dad relocated to West Richland, WA and built a beautiful home overlooking the Yakima River.  In 1988, they downsized and moved to North Richland.  Dad went to heaven on September 15, 2005.

Dona Harrington was ahead of her time: a loving mother and wife who managed our health, diets, the home, the finances, and her career in finance and accounting.  Her career began with the Chicago Mid-West Stock Exchange, then to numerous banking institutions, and she finally retired from Energy Northwest as an accountant.  She accomplished all this while Dad completed his formal education at nights, and taught the boys how to hunt, fish, and play sports.  She was a perfectionist; her home and family clothes were always clean and everything had its place.  Throughout this period, there were times when things did not always go the way mom wanted, and you would never know that she was outnumbered by four men. Subsequently her husband and three sons would quickly respond and get in line.

During her career, Dona earned a reputation for being a positive person with a smile and role model leader, mentor, and friend to the women and men she worked and interfaced with.  In her spare time she found joy in needlepoint, reading, puzzles and games of solitaire.  After her three sons were grown with families, Jack and Dona retired together and toured the United States camping, sightseeing, and enjoying life together.  Of course every trip was planned and prepared to maximize their experience together, similar to those walks in the city parks.   

As her grandchildren multiplied she was quick to impart love, wisdom, humor, memories and what was important about each day.  Never forgetting a birthday, special occasion, or holiday, everyone was attended to, and she was quick to give praise.  She touched many lives, and will be remembered by so many.  Yet, now she is with her loving husband, together forever.

Dona is survived by her three sons John William (Sue), Thomas Robert (Cherri), and Richard Allen (Susan).  She has five grandchildren, Matthew Harrington (Kelly), Kelli McDonald (Sean), Nicole O’neil, Rachel Kallsen, and Angela Jaensch (Eric), six great grandchildren, John, Connor, Aubriegh, Josh, Jaime, and Chloe, and many other nieces and nephews.

Her sons request any donations be made “In Memory of Dona Harrington” to Chaplaincy Health Care, 2108 W. Entiat Avenue, Kennewick, WA, 99336.