Donna McEwen Karvia

Donna McEwen Karvia was born June 18, 1938, and died Jan. 16, 2017. She leaves behind her husband, John and sons, Michael (Lani), Jack (Janine) and Patrick (Mary); five wonderful grandchildren; two great-grandchildren, who she loved dearly; and brother, Dale (Beth) McEwen.  

Donna was born in Eckley, Colo., but her family eventually settled in Winlock, Wash. A whirlwind romance following a blind date found her married to John Sept. 1, 1955, shortly after she graduated from Winlock High School.  

Then, it was off to Pullman, where John attended school at Washington State University and Donna worked for the WSU Extension Office. John became a policeman in Pullman and Michael and Jack were born there, before they moved back to Chehalis. Brother, Patrick, joined the family, while John spent his 32-year career with the Chehalis Police Department and then 10 years as a bailiff in Lewis County Superior Court.  

Donna spent her sons’ early years being the wonderful mom they remember, involved with their activities, while beginning her volunteering services, a practice that continued up until shortly before her death, after a battle with cancer. In fact, while assisting with youth athletics, another parent who worked in the county clerk’s office asked Donna if she would like to come work there.

For the next 15 years, she served as district court clerk and bookkeeper, rising through the ranks to become the chief deputy in superior court. In 1984, she became the elected clerk for Lewis County, after reluctantly promising previous county clerk, Margaret Danielson, that she would run for the office when it came open. Donna’s goal as the county clerk was to always help citizens find answers, or ways to solve the problems that brought them to the office.

She retired in 1999 after 30 years of service. She began to tackle issues through volunteering and gaining others’ interest in working together on such issues as juvenile justice, offenders with mental health issues and addicts, who she felt, could be helped with some kind of program assistance. From that time until her recent death, she was responsible for many, many projects that enhance Lewis County’s services to its citizens. Valley View medical system, which specializes in providing medical services to members of the area with low or limited incomes, is just one of the efforts that Donna helped become a reality throughout Lewis County.  She was instrumental in starting the plans and doing the groundwork for the Youth Advocacy Center. At the time of her death, she was still serving on the executive board of for the Human Response Network, an agency that serves as Lewis County’s service for domestic violence victims and sexual abuse or assault victims.

She was a member of Soroptimist for more than 42 years and represented Soroptimist at the joint conference with American Association of University Women in China.  At that gathering, she made a presentation on Washington’s domestic violence awareness legislation and practices. She was a member of the Centralia College Foundation board of directors for 20 years and was always a vocal champion of the college. She also was a member of JE chapter of PEO, for many years, as well as High Noon Sertoma International.

The numerous awards and recognitions that Donna received, throughout her life, were always met with her response that a plaque with a name meant a number of people had made something possible. A very selective sampling of those awards include:  Little League officer and scorekeeper for 13 years, Cub Scout leader, National Jail Industries Association Pioneer Award, Leah Layne Memorial Health Leadership Award, United Way Volunteer of the Year, Soroptimist Woman of Distinction, Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, Washington State Court Administrator of the Year, Washington State Court Clerk of the Year and the Washington State Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council 2010 Exemplary Advocate Service Award.

Over the years, John and Donna hosted more than 30 international students and guests from Japan, Russia, China and Africa, as well as, Seattle to Portland bicycle riders.

In lieu of flowers, the Karvia family asks that you remember Donna with a donation to the charity of your choice in her name.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m. in Bethel Church, south of Chehalis, off the Rush Road exit.

“To protect our orderly society we must have rules. The rules of our faith, nation, state, county and city. In addition, I believe we need what I call the ‘rules of oughtness’ — we ought to say ‘please,’ ‘thank you,’ ‘good job’ and ‘you make a difference.Donna’s family,

along with friends,

former colleagues,

 fellow club members and

the numerous people

whose lives she impacted,

will miss her and

remember the remarkable,

soft-spoken woman who

always put others’

needs first

and who was constantly

thinking of

improving health

and social needs

that would make

lives better.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Mortuary Service, 229 N. Market Blvd., Chehalis, WA 98532. 360-748-4496.

Condolences may be offered at www.brownmortuary.com