Donna May Thorp, 93

Donna Thorp, beloved Mom, Sister, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Great-Great-Grandma and Aunt, passed peacefully in her sleep Oct. 29, 2025. Donna was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Dec. 27, 1931. 

She supported her sweetheart, Richard “Dick” Thorp, during his service in World War II. The two married when Dick returned to the United States; Donna was 16. Over time, she became the matriarch of a large family that loved and cherished her.  

Donna started working as a waitress at the Hayden Lake Country Club when she was 22 and became assistant manager while raising three children. 

Grandma Donna, as she was lovingly called by many, loved holidays and brought the fun to the family. She enjoyed trick-or-treating with her grandkids and spent the summers taking each of them to the river or their cabin at McGregor Lake. She had a strong bond with her grandchildren and was adored by them all.

Always surrounded by friends, she was a favorite at the Salton Sea, where she was a snowbird for over 40 years. Donna enjoyed theater and playing pinochle, bridge and golf.  

Donna loved flowers and all things sparkly and shimmery. A Red Hat Lady, she made sure to have the most festive hat. She will be missed greatly but lives on in a wealth of family lucky enough to have had her in their lives.

She is survived by her children, Glenda Carriveau (Ron), Richard “Dick” Thorp Jr. (Cindy) and James “Joe” Thorp (Ronnell); seven grandchildren, Joe Bettis, John Bettis, Rondi Thorp, Dawn Chandos, Jodi Thorp, Andy Thorp and Timothy Thorp; 15 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her four siblings and her great-granddaughter.