Donna Rae Moore

Donna Rae Moore “Nellie Nurse”

Born: January 22, 1938

Passed Away: May 21, 2024

Our cherished Mother Donna, began her heavenly journey on May 21, 2024, after a beautifully lived life. She was born in Spokane, Washington on January 22, 1938 to blessed parents, Mona Lunders Biggs and Gerald Biggs. She grew up in Clarkston, Washington and Lewiston and Moscow, Idaho, where she graduated from Moscow High School in 1956. With drive and tenacity, Donna put herself through nurses training at the Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane. She proudly received her degree, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1959. Her passion for nursing continued throughout her life.

On a fateful blind date, Donna met Jack from Boise, Idaho. Our Mom and Dad married on September 10, 1960, in Moscow. After receiving their commission into the United States Army, they began an exciting and interesting life of travel and parenthood. Moving from the Atlantic to the Pacific, as well as a few years in Europe, they joyfully welcomed three girls along the way. Judy was their first, arriving in Lawton, Oklahoma; followed by Jana in Fayetteville, North Carolina; and rounding out our family, Jill in Stuttgart, Germany. 

After retiring, Mom and Dad came back home to Idaho, settling in Emmett until Dad lost his battle with Cancer in 1992. Mom remained extremely proud of being a military wife. Bravely starting over in Meridian, she constructed the first house in her neighborhood, where she spent the rest of her life. Mom loved her home fiercely, always working on it and growing beautiful gardens. She loved: sewing, cooking, flowers of all kinds, feeding squirrels and birds, and especially adoring hummingbirds. Mom also loved fishing and continued to catch prizes in her and Dad’s favorite fishing holes.

Donna was a wonderful mother who was always there when we needed her the most, offering support, wisdom, and love in abundance. A friend to everyone, she was a cherished member of the United Methodist Church of Meridian where she adored singing in the choir, playing bells and keeping the music and choir robes ready for all. Mom was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, joining in 1976 in Sioux City, Iowa, then changed to the Meridian Chapter 66 in 1997, with the great honor of becoming the Worthy Matron in 2001. She also belonged to the Daughters of the Nile and sang in their choir. 

Leaving behind a legacy of kindness and strength, are her: children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Judy and Don Davis of Meridian; their children, Jessica and Dakota; along with their grandchildren, Miles and Mia; Jana Moore and her husband Thomas McKenna of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; their children, Morgan and Kai; and their granddaughter, Kiana; Jill Moore of Nampa, with her furbabies, Minx and Tobie; a brother Ron Vietmeier of Moscow, and a sister Tina Walker of Sewanee, Tennessee; along with countless friends who continually felt her warmth and generosity.

Mom is truly and deeply loved and we will miss her every day. We are comforted by knowing she is happily dancing the Hula for our Dad along beautiful heavenly ocean shores. 

To commemorate Donna’s incredible journey and to celebrate the love she spread, a memorial service will be held in her honor at the United Methodist Church in Meridian, May 31, 2024 at 11:00am. We invite all who knew and loved her to join us in remembering a truly remarkable woman, Donna Moore.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude's Children's hospital.