Donna Eileen Spores- Simard Obituary (1957 - 2023)

Donna Eileen Spores-Simard, 66, passed away at home on March 5, 2023 in Shoreline, WA, after a year-long battle with cancer. Donna was born on January 26, 1957, in Whittier, CA, to Marguerite (Chapman) and Beldon Spores during a family relocation for her father's work at Boeing. Her family returned to their home in West Seattle in 1959, where she fondly recalled a childhood of adventures roller skating in the street, walking to swim lessons at Colman Pool, and grand Christmas celebrations with extended family. The middle sibling of seven children, Donna held a fierce love for each of her siblings and valued the closeness of her family. She loved summers spent at their lake property on Mason Lake, backpacking with her dad and siblings (and later her husband and friends), and learning to bake with her mom. Donna attended Holy Family Catholic School, Denny Middle School, and graduated from Chief Sealth International High School in 1975. She explored various jobs in her early years, including cleaning rooms at the West Seattle Motel during high school with her best friend, fulfilling orders in Napa Auto Parts' warehouse in Kent, and working in the accessories department at Frederick and Nelson in Shoreline. She married her husband Greg Simard in 1984 after they were set-up by her best friend's sister, who happened to be Greg's sister-in-law. In their 39 years of marriage, Donna and Greg built a life together filled with DIY home renovations, vacations to Hawaii, and nightly games of cribbage where Donna's fierce competitive streak could be heard across the house. Donna's core values of faith and family drove her life as a mother to Nicole and Joel. She created a home where love was unconditional, any question would be answered truthfully, and every need was met -- an absolute reflection of how she felt Jesus was calling her to be. Donna loved cooking and was known for countless dishes, but particularly her salads. She discovered The Barefoot Contessa in the early 2000s and Ina Garten became a practical friend of the family as Donna cooked her way through all of her books with great passion and delicious results. Ina's Lamb Curry was a particular favorite dish to cook. Donna's spirit of profound generosity permeated all facets of her life. She expressed her love through giving gifts: special birthday presents for Greg, her kids, parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, and friends, as well as the gift of her time and money to places of great meaning to her. She felt called to give to charities whose missions supported the Corporal Works of Mercy: feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked. Donna spent countless hours volunteering at St. Mark Church and parish school while her children attended. She spent the last nine years volunteering at the Edmonds Food Bank where she sorted donations and put together bags of food for clients. She also made friends who were incredibly dear to her, and she often spoke about how much she valued their friendship and community. Donna was compassionate, trustworthy, and the best listener. Her dry sense of humor of one-liners was easily missed if you weren't listening closely, but deeply amusing when you caught her eye during a wry comment or observation. The love and kindness she brought to her family and friends will be deeply missed. She is survived by her husband Greg Simard, daughter and son-in-law Nicole Simard and Cody Hogan, granddaughter Alice Hogan, and son and future daughter-in-law Joel Simard and Rocio Leon. She is also survived by her six siblings and their spouses, Pam Boltz, Margo Spores, Beldon and Gail Spores, Bob and Joyce Spores, Carol and Rob Christian, and Marie and John Schweiter; as well as siblings-in-law Linda Simard, Joanne and Jim Metz, Theresa and Andy Schwartz, and Mark and Laurie Simard. Donna also leaves behind 22 nieces and nephews and 48 grandnieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Marguerite and Beldon Spores Sr., her parents-in-law Florence and Marvin Simard, and brother-in-law Rune Simard. A Funeral Mass will be held on March 16, 2023 at 11:00 am at St. Mark Catholic Church, 18033 15th Pl NE, Shoreline, WA 98155 Graveside service to follow at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, 205 N.E. 205th St., Shoreline. Reception immediately following interment at Holy Rosary Catholic Church's Parish Hall 630 7th Ave. N., Edmonds. In lieu of flowers, cash donations may be made to the Edmonds Food Bank.