Donna Marie Schertzer, 82, passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the evening of March 7, 2023 in Burlington, WA, following a battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Born in New Jersey in 1940, she was adopted by the loving Strigas family at the age of 16 following the death of her birth mother. With this adoption, she gained a caring mother and father- as well as three wonderful sisters- fulfilling her wish to become part of a nurturing family.

In 1963, she married George Stratton and a few years later, gave birth to their daughter Stephanie. She worked as a single mother for many years in Northern California until, in 1982, she married Ben Schertzer and gained three sons. Shortly after, the family moved from Petaluma, CA to Lopez Island, WA. She quickly fell in love with island life, working various jobs including owning a bookstore and running the restaurant at MacKaye Harbor Inn with Ben.

In the late 90s, they moved permanently to Skagit Valley, where she worked for many years at Brown-McMillan as Office Manager. She was also the resident baker, making desserts to celebrate the birthdays of each of her coworkers, many of whom became dear friends. In addition to her love of cooking great food, she enjoyed gardening, singing, and reading. Throughout her time in Skagit, she was active in various church communities including Emmanuel Baptist Church, Bethany Covenant Church, and Cornwall Church. She was a fiercely godly woman who enjoyed hosting Bible study with her small group.

She was also a beloved Nana to her grandchildren who, despite living right next door, still spent every Friday night at her house. She cherished every moment that she spent with them, and they did in return. Her friends and family remember her generosity, kindness, and infectious joy that brightened up the room.

She left behind four children: her beloved daughter Stephanie Sharpe and three sons Stephen (Carolyn), Eric, and David (Reneé) Schertzer. She also is survived by her three grandchildren: Joshua (Kenzie), Jonathan, and Julianne Sharpe, three sisters Sherry (Steve) Dunne, Cyndee Harris, Kim (Mike) Foley, and other loved ones including numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 35 years, Ben Schertzer, in 2018.

Donna's memorial service will be held at Cornwall Church 830 N. 16th Street, Mount Vernon on Saturday, May 6 at 1pm. Please join us for tea and refreshments after.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Children of the Nations, P.O. Box 3970 Silverdale, WA 98383 ( cotni.org ) or The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, FDR Station, PO Box 220, New York, NY 10150 ( alzinfo.org )

Please visit www.hawthornefh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.