Donna Lee (Bennetts) Armstrong

Donna Lee (Bennetts) Armstrong passed peacefully the morning of July 12, 2025 in her Colorado apartment with her granddaughter Jennifer by her side. Donna had experienced a series of mini strokes over the preceding weeks. While plans were underway to move her back to Washington state, Donna left us, and Colorado, under her terms.

Donna was born on October 23, 1929, the day before the stock market crash. She was born in the Madison Valley outside Ennis Montana, to Theodore “Earl” and Elinore (Baker) Bennetts. The family travelled with time spent in Randsburg, California and Olympia, Washington. Upon returning to the Madison Valley, Donna had fond memories of the family running the local bakery/cafe. Donna graduated from Ennis High School in 1947 and was class valedictorian. She never stopped learning. Ennis and the Madison Valley remained as the family’s home within their hearts, for the remainder of all their lives.

Donna married Daniel Frank Armstrong in 1947, also from the Ennis area, when he returned from WWII having been a POW and Purple Heart recipient. The young couple headed to eastern Washington and started their family in Davenport, WA. Son Dane was born in 1949 with daughter Devora following in 1952. Donna remained in Davenport for over 60 years. She filled her days with raising her children, volunteering, working at Dan’s office, spending weekends at the cabin searching for arrowheads, taking in many wayward felines and one dog, golfing, and later bestowing all her love into her grandchildren.

Donna was many things - dedicated to family, an educated and thoughtful woman, witty beyond compare, a member of her local Eastern Star, a crossworder, puzzler, bridge player, and an avid obituary and police blotter connoisseur. As some of these activities became harder in her later years, checking in with her remaining family became the main event. Hearing their stories and voices brought her joy even in her final days. Donna was in some ways a quintessential 1950’s wife and mother - she did not want attention on her and aimed to keep the peace. Her granddaughters are especially grateful to her for walking that line and yet still encouraging them to be fully who they are, use their voices, and do good in the world. The writers get to take some liberty here and inform you that she did not think the most good was currently being done. Having historically endured and witnessed previous eras where we humans attack and scapegoat the other, she truly hoped we might see the errors of our ways and help one another flourish.

After 95+ years, Donna is preceded in death by many. Husband Dan, daughter Dev, father Earl, mother Elinore, sister Dixie, brother Ted and many other beloved family and friends. She leaves behind so very much history and wisdom and: her son Dane (and Jackie) of Anacortes, WA, son in law Bill Lee of Aurora, CO, sister in law Marlene Bennetts of Helena, MT, granddaughters Jennifer of Mercer Island, WA, Jami (and Katie) of Port Orchard, WA, Ricki (and Chase) of Centennial, CO, three great grandchildren, Will, Lexi, and Elliot, and many loved nieces and nephews. She was a constant in our lives for so very long - a presence, a voice, and a way of being. For some of us, she is our North. She will continue in our hearts and we count on her to help us navigate this next experience - life without her physical being. We are heartbroken and yet, we trust she is fine.

Per Donna's wishes there will not be a formal ceremony. She will be interred at Madison Valley Cemetery outside Ennis, MT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to continue funding for Alzheimer's Research.