Daily Sitka Sentinel

Donna Winnop, Former Sitkan, Dies at Age 82

Donna Winnop

    Donna Winnop, formerly of Sitka,  passed away peacefully May 9, 2019, at home in Hawaii, where she had recently moved from Sequim, Washington. She was 82.
    Donna Irene McLeod was born January 28, 1937, in Penticton, British Columbia, Canada.
    She traveled with her family to the United States when she was 14.  That was when she met her future husband Bill Winnop.             They married years later and settled in Moses Lake, Washington. Both their two sons, Scott and Gary, were born in Moses Lake.
    In 1959 the family moved to Sitka. Donna worked as a legal secretary for several attorneys before working for the State of Alaska as Judge Duane Craske’s private secretary. She also worked for Judge Larry Zervos.
    Donna enjoyed working in her garden. She had a beautiful yard on Lake Street that many enjoyed. She also loved to knit and crochet – she made many beautiful afghans and sweaters. She enjoyed sport fishing and canning her fish. She loved animals, and had many dogs, birds, fish and even a pet duck.
    Donna was a member of the Sitka Emblem Club and the NRA. She had a concealed carry permit and she enjoyed target practice.     Bill and Donna moved to Sequim, Washington in 2005. Bill passed away in 2015.
    Donna recently moved to Hawaii, where she and Bill had spent many vacations. Her older son Scott and his wife Ann currently live in Oceanview, Hawaii, and Donna resided with them in her final months. She loved the islands and the aloha spirit.
    Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Roderick and Winona,  and  her stepfather, Al; siblings Frank, Helen, JoAnn and Joy. She is survived by siblings Jack, Linda, Jill, Jean. Raymond. David and Rick.
    She is survived by son Scott; daughters-in-law Ann and Patti; grandchildren Kori, Wayde, Trevor and Chad; and great-grandsons Ryan and Ari. Her son Gary passed on June 1, 2019.
    At Donna’s request there was no memorial service but her ashes will be spread with Bill’s at Starrigaven in Sitka at a later date.