Donna Tifft Satterlee

Donna Tifft Satterlee

September 16, 1929-May 14, 2012

Donna Marie Tifft was born on September 16, 1929 in Mobridge, South Dakota to Don and Martha Tifft. In 1936 the family sold all they owned and headed for a better life in the west. Along with Don’s father, they packed what little they owned in a 1929 Chevrolet and headed for California. However, they ended up in Walla Walla where they resided for a year. In 1937, Donna’s father decided to look for a barbershop to purchase and found one for sale in the town of North Bend, where they moved to and lived for the rest of their lives.Donna attended Mount Si High School where she met and married James R. Satterlee of Fall City in 1947. They lived briefly in Ellensburg while Jim finished college and then moved back to North Bend. Donna and Jim had three children, James D. Satterlee (Sandi), Jeffrey S. Satterlee (Joyce), and Marette E. Satterlee, two grandchildren, Christopher R. Bessette and Ashton C. Satterlee and one step-grandson, Chad Flint. Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her parents, Don and Martha Tifft and her infant sister, Lila June Tifft.For the majority of her life Donna was a homemaker. She and Jim were owners of The Towne Shop in North Bend for 10 years. For several years she worked as a manager at her parent’s restaurant, The Tift Haus, also in North Bend. In the 1980’s she was a part time librarian at the North Bend Public Library. Donna was always active in local affairs. She was Chairman and an Officer for the PTA and North Bend Parents Club, as well as a room mother for 14 years. She was a Den Mother for 4 years to Boy Scout Troop #466, a Brownie, Girl Scout, and Campfire Girls troop leader for 3 years and a Sunday school teacher at the Snoqualmie United Methodist Church. She served many years on the Si View Park Board and was a member of Children’s Orthopedic Hospital Auxiliary.Donna was a hostess extraordinaire who loved entertaining and over the years planned many events for her Birthday Club and Dance Club groups, the North Bend Fire Department and North Bend Elementary PTA. Donna and Jim’s home was always open to friends and lots of young people and Donna and Jim were “second parents” to many of them. Their home was a gathering place where anyone and everyone were welcome, fed (Donna was an excellent cook) and included in the family. The delivery of Donna’s colossal Christmas cookie plates, which contained a diverse array of scrumptious confections, were a yearly event that many looked forward to. Donna and Jim loved dancing and belonged to two valley square dance clubs and the Valley Ballroom Dance Club. She enjoyed building and working side by side with her husband remodeling their home over the years and building cabins on three vacation properties. Her interests included skiing, hiking, walking, volleyball, sewing, biking, seeking out the best garage sales, gardening, cooking, entertaining and taking care of her grandson, which gave her the most pleasure of all.And now, after more than 60 years, 888-0056 is no longer a working number. We miss you Mom.A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, July 15th from 1:30-3:30pm at the Sallal Grange Hall in North Bend. It will be a casual open house style event. We ask that you bring a dessert and a story to share. The first 15 minutes will be a brief program, then dessert and socializing to follow. For more information please email coachesgirl@msn.com.In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the James R. Satterlee Scholarship through the Snoqualmie Valley Scholarship Foundation at Mt. Si High School.