Donna Marie Abrams

Donna Marie Abrams, 83 years of age, passed away early Monday morning, August 12th, 2024, surrounded by her family near and far. 

Donna was born March 14th,1941 in Pacifica, California to the late Mary Alice and Donald Hutley. As the oldest of five children, she was her mother’s right-hand raising sister Kathleen (Katy), and brothers Michael, John, and Alan. 

Donna graduated from Westmoore High School in Daly City, California in 1959. Her educational goal was to go into nursing. While a senior in high school, she worked as a candy striper at Children’s Hospital of San Francisco. It was there that she was assigned to feed an Idaho farm boy (age 20) who had just had eye surgery. He turned out to be the love of her life. The two corresponded via love letters for many months before Paul moved to San Francisco to be near her. They were married on July 8th,1960 in San Francisco, CA. They were later sealed as a family in the Idaho Falls Temple in November of 1974.

Between 1960 and 1968, Paul and Donna lived in California and grew their family. In 1969, they moved with their four children to Kellogg, Idaho. It was in Kellogg that their fifth and final child joined the family. As a stay-at-home mom, Donna supplemented the family income by providing childcare to local families. She was far more than just a babysitter and those kids were part of the family for many years. 

Donna was active in the local chapter of the Jaycees where she was actively engaged in serving the community in which she lived. Near and dear to her heart was her involvement with Opportunity School, a school for children and young adults with developmental disabilities. She had a passion for the Special Olympics and attended local games, cheering on each participant, no matter their finish. She exposed her children to these special people, teaching them kindness, acceptance, patience, and the ability to cheer the smallest successes.

In the early 80’s, Donna returned to college to finish the nursing degree she had started so long ago. In 1983, the family relocated to Utah for Paul’s new job and Donna stayed in the family home to finish her education. In 1984, she completed her associate’s degree in nursing and also one in English Literature, stating she did both simply because she could.

When Donna joined her family in Utah, she quickly put her education to use working in the rehabilitation unit at Holy Cross Hospital and the VA Hospital. When she could no longer do the heavy work of patient care, she used her skills in a youth psychiatric hospital. When her health demanded she stop patient care altogether, she worked for insurance companies, continuing to serve others by connecting them with the services they needed. 

For a self-proclaimed city girl, she took to the mountains like a fish to water. Often found gardening, camping, and finding a way to be closer to nature, Donna developed a great love for the mountains, specifically those in North Idaho. 

As her children had children, Donna became an invested and attentive grandmother. She was known to go a little crazy at Christmastime to make sure her grandchildren had everything they needed and most of the things they wanted. Between late-night runs for ice cream at McDonald's, baking cookies during Christmas, and hosting large gatherings of the family where food was second to company and laughter, Donna loved to have her family around her. 

Donna was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and served in many callings, always enjoying being of service to others. She was involved in genealogy and thrilled in putting together the puzzle pieces of her family’s past. She also served in the Jordan River temple as an ordinance worker. 

Donna was a voracious reader and always enjoyed picking up a book that someone would recommend to her. Her appetite for adventure and travel never waned as she planned many trips she wanted to take, and even managed to go on a few of them throughout her life. Her favorite trips were those she took with her beloved mother to England, Scotland, France, and Italy. 

She was a loving, thoughtful, and joyous person, her loving embrace encircled everyone brought to her, blood-related or not, it didn't matter, they were now part of the family. Her children and grandchildren’s friends learned quickly that she was a safe place to land, should they ever need it. Some did.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents, sister Katy, brother Michael, grandson Geoff, and great-granddaughters Mireya and Milah. 

Donna leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 64 years, Paul, their children: Gordon, Steven (Vicki), Rieda (Kevin), Georganna, and Roxanne, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brothers John Hutley and Alan Hutley, brother-in-law Lewis Abrams, and sisters-in-law Jean Davidson and Kaye Packer, along with many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Memorial Murray Mortuary, 5850 South 900 East, Murray, Utah. You may visit with the family at a viewing prior to services from 9:00 to 10:45 AM. Interment at Providence City Cemetery, 925 River Heights Blvd., Logan, Utah. 

 Services will be streamed at https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/103805/hash:9FD182D27534C593