Donna Erskine

Donna Jeanne Riddle Erskine Together Again Donna Jeanne Riddle Erskine was reunited with her soul mate, Harry, on the 17th of February, 2009. Born 81 years ago on November 30, 1927 in Long Beach, California, the daughter of Warren C. (Jack) Riddle, and Irene Andrus Riddle, she married Harry Erskine Jr. on December 7th, 1945 after a marathon trip to Elko, Nevada in a blizzard while Harry was on a three day pass. After her children were in school she went to work for the Intermountain Association of Credit Men in a career that involved negotiated flexible hours, a concept almost unheard of during the 50s, by schmoozing management. No shrinking violet, she could work a room with the best of them, without being obvious. She loved a social environment and did not shy away from the center stage, a skill that served her well during the decades that she and Harry raised and showed West Highland and Scottish Terriers. That second career as a breeder and shower allowed her to travel all across the nation and the world, to places such as Europe, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Canada. Donna was no Pollyanna, but she did believe that the mind truly was stronger than the body and that whining or complaining caused more damage than dealing with the circumstances and moving on. If given sour grapes she would try to make wine. After ten years with severe Macular Degeneration, advanced COPD, surviving colon cancer, recovering from acute pancreatitis after 12 weeks in ICU where she was given a 5% chance of survival, she would say she thought she was pretty healthy for the shape she was in. When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer she refused to resign, saying she was only 81 and not ready to go, so she didnt. She fought. And she fought. When told by hospice she had a matter of hours she made it days, then weeks. Rage, rage against the dying of the light, she did not go without a fight. It wasnt hope, it wasnt denial, it was just Donna. She could go no other way. Yet she passed in peace, strong in spirit to the end. Donna is survived by her brother Jack Riddle, brother-in-law Ralph Erskine, daughter Sandy Stroud (Lee), son Harry Scott Erskine (Kate), six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and a lifetime of valued friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her parents Warren and Irene Riddle and her brother Kenneth W. Riddle. A viewing will be held 6 to 8 PM Thursday, February 19th at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and 10 to 11 AM on Friday, February 20th with graveside services following at 12 noon on Friday, February 20th at the Salt Lake City Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, plant something in your garden this spring for Donna or contribute to Sunbrook Hospice who we thank for their wonderful care and support. We also give our special thanks to Atria in Sandy for their exceptional support and love given to Donna the last four years.