Donna Louise Scarborough (Millar)

Donna Louise (Millar) Scarborough

January 13, 1924 – April 28, 2015

Donna Louise Scarborough, 91, passed away Tuesday, April 28 at her home with her husband of 69 years by her side. Donna was born January 13, 1924 in Walsenburg, Colorado, to David and Julia G. (Ritzus) Millar. She was an only child.

Donna’s father was a coal miner, so her childhood years were spent in coal camps near Trinidad, Colorado. She recalled the days of the Great Depression and how hard life was at that time, remembering government trucks arriving at the coal camps with striped coveralls and tennis shoes to give to the children.

Donna met Mack Scarborough at age 16 when they were both juniors in a state-run high school in the little village of El Rito, New Mexico. This is where they both learned to speak Spanish and to appreciate the Mexican/Indian culture. They enjoyed activities such as skiing on week-ends, the tow being fashioned from an old Buick engine and a rope. That is also where they learned to dance, which became a life-long passion for the two of them.

When World War II broke out, Mack joined the Navy, just short of graduation and Donna went back to Colorado. They corresponded by mail and one Christmas Mack sent Donna some money suggesting she go buy a Lane cedar chest; pretty much a marriage proposal. She met him in San Francisco where he bought her a ring on Market Street, then they held an engagement party at Joe DeMaggio’s Fisherman’s Wharf.

Following Mack’s discharge, they married in Trinidad on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1946. They moved to Espanola, NM where Mack was a mechanic, repairing automobiles for the scientists who lived in Los Alamos while building the atomic bomb. Donna was always by his side, helping him.

The couple had one son, Scott.

In 1948, Mack went to work for a natural gas company which took them from Trinidad to Dumas, Texas, then Pueblo, Colorado. After 30 years of moving and living in company camps where they met lots of friends, they retired in Espanola, New Mexico. Donna helped Mack build an adobe house, even making all the bricks. They moved to Montrose in 1994 to be near their son and his family.

They did some traveling in their RV, but Donna’s main love was being a homemaker and taking good care of Mack. The couple could visit with one another for hours on end. Donna loved meeting people, caring for others and enjoying their four granddaughters. Donna and Mack were both members of the Montrose County Historical Society and members of St. Mary Catholic Church.

Donna’s mission was to contribute happiness to all people, especially the elderly. She never met a stranger and with just a short conversation, she made a new friend. For many years, the couple hosted an anniversary party, sometimes having over 200 guests with a reception and of course, dancing with music by their favorite musicians, Rick and Karen.  Donna will be forever remembered for her friendliness, thoughtfulness, being generous, kind and unselfish.

Donna kept a log of all their activities. She also enjoyed cooking and gardening. Their home was a show place with their field of zinnias each summer, from which she would distribute bouquets to her friends. She loved the wildlife that frequented their rural setting, watching the deer, feeding the birds and marveling at the nests made by black hornets.

In addition to her husband, Donna is survived by her son Scott and his wife Marilyn; their four daughters, Marissa, Lyndsey, Shaunna and Kyndall.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A vigil is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2:00pm at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel, followed by a visitation. A Funeral Mass will be Monday morning, 10:00am at St. Mary Catholic Church, of Montrose, with Father Mike Walker officiating. Burial at Grand View Cemetery, west of Montrose, will follow the service. Contributions in Donna’s memory may be made to HopeWest Hospice, P. O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO, 81402.  Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory, Montrose are in charge of arrangements.