Sidonia E. "Donna" Dewitt

Sidonia "Donna" Elsie DeWitt, of Moscow, died Tuesday January 31, 2017 at Kindred Health - Aspen Park in Moscow. She was 92. Donna was born April 15, 1924 in Staten Island, New York to William and Sidonia Van Riper. She graduated from Curtis high school and Manhattan Business College. On February 17, 1944 Donna married Melvin DeWitt in Staten Island. After school Donna went to work for the Cuban sugar company in New York. In 1946 Melvin and Donna moved to Idaho and in 1966 she began to work as the secretary for the Plant and Soils department at the University of Idaho, where she worked up until her retirement. Donna was a member of many organizations in the area including the Gritman Auxiliary, Palouse Patchers, Fifth Day Club, Patrol Craft Sailors Association and the Faculty Women's Club at the U of I. She loved quilting, sewing, gardening, painting, reading, and was the family historian. Donna was preceded in death by her husband Melvin, her parents, a brother Edward, and two great grandchildren, Jarren Zachow and Jesper Golden. She is survived by her sons; Wayne (Linda) of Palouse, Van (Darlene) of Walla Walla, and Dirck (Debbie) of Colfax.. Grandsons; Hunter, Jason (Carmel), Quentin (Jenny) and Kurt. Granddaughters; Halo (Jeff) Golden, Jolene (Scott) Lincoln, Alicia (Michael) Higgins. Greatgrandchildren; Jack, Ben, Ahlayna, Owen, Nate, Kaden, Torin, Tirion, Willow, Teigan, Lachlan. A Funeral Service for Donna will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday February 7, 2017 at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow with Pastor Jodie Tooley of the United Church of Moscow officiating. Burial follow at the Moscow Cemetery and a reception will be at Donna's home, 714 East Lewis St. in Moscow afterward. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the University of Idaho Arboretum, or the USO. Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel and condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.com