Donna Marie Smit

  Donna Marie Smit went home to her Lord and Savior on May 14, 2026, at the age of 85. Though we grieve our own loss of one we loved so dearly, we celebrate her incredible gain.

  Donna was born January 10, 1941 in Dickinson, North Dakota to Laudie V. and Mildred C. Kovash. She spent her first eight years on a farm before her parents moved the family to Ontario, Oregon, where Donna grew up and graduated high school. She married and traded the role of bank teller for a role she cherished the rest of her life, Mom. She had three children: Nick, Jeff and Kathy. They eventually moved to Portland, Oregon, where she lived from 1965 until 1992. During those years she raised her family and eventually went back to banking, raising to a high level before she retired. She lived in Battle Ground, Washington her last 17 years, spending as much time as possible with her family.

  Donna was an incredible baker, known for bringing homemade cookies, pies, breads and candies to anyone who might give her a hint they'd like one! She was particularly known for her amazing peanut butter cookies and her homemade caramels. Donna was generous in all things, but she especially loved giving to her family. Donna loved the arts and attended plays and concerts often in her working years. She loved golfing and she loved the beach, especially the art galleries there! She was also an avid fan of college sports, in particular the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Oregon Ducks! She also loved shopping at Costco! In Donna's later years, when her body no longer allowed her to keep up her younger pace, she enjoyed beautiful music online, especially during the many masses she attended via YouTube every day! She also loved collecting books of all kinds: books of faith, novels and cookbooks!

  Though Donna's last days were very hard on her, and all who loved her, she passed very peacefully, surrounded by love. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her brother (Walter Kovash), and most distressing to her, her eldest son, Nick Smit. She leaves behind her sister (Diane Kugler), her son Jeff Smit (Michelle), her daughter Kathy Shamrell (Dan), and 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She will be missed immensely.

"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow or crying, neither shall there be any more pain..." Revelation 21:4