Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was born on December 27, 1934, in Grand Rapids, MI to Theodore and Florence Westing. Dona graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1953 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Education from Taylor University in 1957. While commuting home for the weekends from college, she met and later married her husband Dave DenBoer on June 20, 1958. They moved to several homes in both the United States and Canada, and had three children of their own: David, Doug, and Deb. Dona held many titles throughout her life as an elementary teacher, moving company estimator, director of social ministries through the church, and the ones she was most proud of as a mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. She was a dedicated member of both Christ Community and Calvary Church and was a member of the choir at Calvary for many years. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren, volunteer at Wedgewood Acres, travel the world with her friends, and spend time with her long-time friend, Dave DeBruyn, who remained a constant in her life from the time she moved to Grand Rapids until her death.
Dona lived a vibrant life and was passionate about the arts, playing games, visiting the beach, traveling, shopping, and her friends and family. She stayed involved with many of these activities right up until two weeks prior to her death when you could find her playing cards with her friends at Sentinel Pointe, having lunch with her children, going to the beach, and getting her nails and hair done. She passed away on Monday October 24, 2022, following her long battle with so many medical issues.
Dona is survived by her children, David (Kimberly) DenBoer, Douglas (Susan) DenBoer, Deborah (David) Baker; grandchildren, Matthew (Samantha) DenBoer, Joshua (Emma) DenBoer, Samantha (Tony) Iorio, Nathan (Ashley) DenBoer, and Blake (Annie) DenBoer; great granddaughters, Belle, Brittan, Berkeley, Leighton, Piper, Sophie, and Isla; her brother Robert Westing, brother-in-law Bert Froysland, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Florence Westing; brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Betty Westing; sister, Mae Froysland; and husband David DenBoer.
Please join us in celebrating her life on Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 2:00pm at Sentinel Pointe, 2900 Thornhills SE, Grand Rapids, MI.