Donna Rose Frease passed away peacefully at the age of 92 with family by her side after a long goodbye from Alzheimer’s disease. Donna was born in Seattle on February 9, 1932, to Lily and Robert Wheeler. She grew up with five sisters and one brother on Capitol Hill and graduated from Holy Names Academy. She was a paralegal for several law firms until her retirement in 1985.

Donna was a single mother of five children. With the two youngest still at home she moved her family to Bainbridge Island in 1972 for better schools. She commuted to Seattle to work every day and was known as the “hat lady” as she always wore a fashionable hat. She enjoyed the opera, symphony, and local theatre productions. She was an accomplished seamstress and loved fashion. She was a volunteer for Bainbridge Light Opera making costumes in the 70’s

In 1979 she met Edgar Frease, the love of her life, and they were married in 1980 at the Manor House Inn on Bainbridge Island. She and Edgar designed and built a retirement home with a beautiful garden that was an entry in the Seattle Garden Show. The judges named it a “collectors garden” with a variety of trees and flowers that have something blooming all year long. Donna and Edgar enjoyed working in their garden with their dogs. Donna also enjoyed knitting, classical music and was a lifelong reader. Her collection of books included poetry, gardening, art, children’s books, and classics. She and Edgar loved visits from family and friends, especially in the summer, when the garden was beautiful, and the weather was warm for swimming in the bay and digging clams. She so enjoyed her grandchildren, reading them books, cooking, playing games and providing treats to all children who came to visit with them. Donna and Edgar were married 35 years until Edgar’s death in September 2015.

Her Family would like to thank the loving care given to her by the staff of Martha & Mary Memory Care Center in Poulsbo.

A memorial service is planned for January 11, 2025 at St Cecilia Parish, Bainbridge Island

For a complete obituary and to sign the Guest Book please go to: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/donna-frease