Donna G. Palmer Obituary (1943 - 2026)

Beloved Donna Palmer, born Donna Grace Dunn, entered eternal life on April 13, 2026, due to severe heart failure. She was born to the late David and Edith Dunn on January 23, 1943, in Port Angeles, WA. Donna brought humor and a touch of quirkiness into the world. Donna's grandparents were Victor and Hilma Foss. Many fond memories and years were spent playing on Foss Road at the family-run slaughterhouse with her siblings and many of her cousins. She attended North Kitsap High School, class of 1961, of which she was very proud. Shortly after graduation, she married Don Palmer. Together, they moved to Bainbridge Island to start their own family and business. Donna was a woman who knew the value of hard work and the joy of a job well done. During her working years, she took on the unglamorous world of garbage disposal on Bainbridge Island with her ex-husband, Don Palmer, for over 30 years. As the owner-operator of their business, she was far more than just a secretary. After her retirement, Donna took to the road and spent over 30 years traveling with her significant other, Bob, whom she loved dearly, in their motorhome. One of their favorite places to frequent was Mexico. Six months out of the year, Donna and Bob would snowbird there. After his passing, she decided to sell her family home of over 65 years on Bainbridge Island and moved to Poulsbo to be closer to her daughter, Heidi, and Doug. Donna enjoyed tending to her yard and garden. She also loved relaxing with a cold beer, whether on her deck overlooking Seattle, on her patio, or at a local brewery. Her most memorable times were those spent surrounded by her close-knit, loving family. She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Edith Dunn, and her siblings, Pearl, David, and Dickie, with whom she was very close. She was a loving mother to her surviving daughter, Heidi Owens, and a beloved mother-in-law to Doug. She also leaves behind cherished memories with her adoring grandson, Tucker, who was her pride and joy. She loved her stepson, Jim, and hearing stories of his adventures climbing mountains. As Donna has now moved on to her new office in the sky, we invite all who knew and loved her to share their memories and upload photos to her memorial page. To honor Donna's wishes, no formal services will be scheduled. Her remains will be placed on the shore of her family's Kingston beach house. And in her honor, please lift your glass at your next happy hour. Because, as she often said, "The best things in life are the people you love, the places you've seen, and the memories you've made along the way."