Donna Mae Tyree, 85

Donna Mae Martin was born in Polson to Owen and Bessie Martin on May 10, 1931. The baby in the family of five children, she was preceded in death by both parents and her brothers Owen, Giff and Lee Martin and her sister Helen Taylor. She was also preceded in death by grandchildren, Jason and Amber McAtee, Joshua Martin Tyree, and great-grandchildren Ava McDonald and Joshua Scott Tyree.

After the divorce of her parents, Donna moved to Kalispell with her mother. Donna’s claim to fame was that she was a Flathead High School varsity cheerleader as a freshman in high school. She met many friends during her school years and carried many of those friendships throughout her lifetime.

At the age of 16, Donna was married to a Welsh immigrant and had two sons, Daniel and Darrin. When Darrin was a baby, the marriage ended in divorce. She worked as a waitress at the Highland Restaurant in West Glacier to support herself and her two young boys. It was there that she caught the eye of a handsome Dick Tyree ,who was to become the love of her life. They were married in July of 1952. Dick adopted Dan and Darrin and five more children were born.

The family lived in West Glacier until the flood of 1964 destroyed the family home. Dick and Donna moved the family to Kalispell where they lived on the west side for 50 years. Dick is now a resident of Heritage Place nursing home suffering from advanced dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Donna’s legacy was her own life witness. Accepting Jesus Christ at an early age, she raised all of her children in a Christian home, and with the knowledge that we will see her again in heaven. Donna’s hospitality and love was felt by all who would visit, where they were treated to her epic Danish pastries and cinnamon rolls a vivid standout. Donna has always been active in every church she attended and for the past 25 years she was a member of The “Christian Center,” now Canvas Church, which she dearly loved.

Donna is survived by sons Dan and Leann Tyree, Darrin and Helen Tyree, Don and Bambi Tyree, Dick and Shelly Tyree, Derek and Sue Tyree and by daughters Donita Hebert, husband Jerry and Deanna Tyree McAtee. Donna has 23 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, another on the way next month and a large extended family who dearly loved her.

Special thanks to Kalispell Regional Hospital, Hospice, Brendan House and Prestige Assisted Living facility staff who took special care of this beautiful lady.

Services for Donna will be at 4 p.m. on Oct. 21, with a dinner reception and fellowship following immediately afterward at Canvas Church, 255 Summit Ridge Drive, Kalispell.