Obituary: Donna Seyhanli

Donna graduated from North Central High School in Spokane in 1952, where she was a pretty cheerleader. She married Donald Clayton Flemming in1952 and in 1958, they moved to The Dalles, Ore., for the construction and later on operation of Harvey Aluminum Plant. They had two children, Donald Clayton Flemming (1955) and Devron Lee Flemming (1957). She married Mac Seyhanli in 1996 after her husband Don passed away. Mac had been a part of the 1971 Goldendale Aluminum Plant start up, so Donna continued her lengthy aluminum expertise until her death.

Donna’s only standard in life was “excellence.” Nothing less. She had been an enthusiastic runner into her late 50s and ran six miles each day for practice, often jumping over rattlesnakes on roads by the Columbia River. She placed first in several Portland marathons and also The Dalles Cherry Run in her age bracket, and proudly displayed her trophies.

Donna poured her heart into The Dalles Columbia Gorge Discovery Center as a volunteer, starting during the construction phase, followed by years of fundraising events and activities, and eventually culminating in her service as citizens board president. The Discovery Center was a cause very dear to her heart and she wanted nothing more than its continuing success. She worked successfully for many years as an office administrator in a multi-lawyer practice, and also as an administrator at a dental practice.

Donna’s most important priority was in being a faithful, efficient, loyal and true friend to her husband and family. She set an example of maintaining a beautiful home and surroundings for her family. Her interior decorating skills, along with her wonderful flower gardens, received recognition from national publications.

For a woman of small stature, she had an indomitable can-do spirit and was widely known as spunky, and hardworking. She mowed her home’s very large yard herself into her 80s while putting out eight to 10 bags of yard fertilizer at a time. Rattlesnakes sun tanning in front of her house were no match for this fearless “Annie Oakley” and her trusty 22 caliber 8 shot revolver. However, she did not disturb snakes away from her house. One very, very large rattlesnake with 21 rattles even went after her, but met the same demise as all the others. She liked showing doubters her box of rattles.

Donna enjoyed traveling to many places around the world and the U.S. She enjoyed Hong Kong and Japanese cities and went to Istanbul repeatedly to visit husband Mac’s relatives there. She stayed in London, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Oslo, and Berlin, among other places in Europe.

She traveled extensively around the U.S. with husband Mac to see new places, to go to music concerts, and try out new casinos. Starting with northeastern USA in Portland, Maine, she traveled the east coast into Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Chicago, Niagara Falls,and Washington, D.C., down to Miami, and into Memphis, Louisville, Nashville, New Orleans, Atlanta, San Antonio, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Phoenix, and Scottsdale. In the west, she visited San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Portland, and Seattle repeatedly. She crossed Canada from Vancouver, B.C., east to Quebec City. Above all, she loved the banks of the Columbia River, where her home was perched on high rocks. Each day she adored the 100 mile long unique view of the Columbia River from her house, all the way up to Mount Hood in the distance.

Donna was widely known to friends and family as a very successful dollar slot machine player. Just as in other endeavors in life, she played slots aggressively, and without backing down. She was a frequent player in several casinos where she was a consistent winner and was treated well for her accomplishments. However, Reno was by far her favorite location for gaming, and for many years she visited Reno twice a month for gaming and concerts. Husband Mac watched her play carefully but could not replicate her success. In his mind, he had already won the greatest jackpot in the world by winning Donna’s hand in the “Casino of Life.” He did not need any other jackpots himself.

Donna liked music and during her travels attended several hundred rock and country music concerts along with comedy shows. She saw Sinatra, Elvis, Dean Martin and others in old Vegas and Sammy Davis in Reno. She attended concerts of Tom Jones, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Everly Brothers, Rod Stewart, Paul Anka, Johnny Mathis, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Righteous Brothers, Ringo Starr, George Jones, Neil Diamond, Chubby Checker, Cher, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rodgers, Linda Ronstadt, Don Rickles, Beach Boys, Chicago, Olivia Newton John, Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Smokey Robinson, Willie Nelson, Barry Manilow, George Strait, Santana, Steve Lawrence, Phyllis Diller, Frankie Valli, Glen Campbell, Eagles, Buddy Guy, Merle Haggard, Foreigner, and ZZ Top, among many other entertainers.

Donna is survived by her husband, Muhsin “Mac” Seyhanli; son, D.C. Flemming; daughter, Devie Flemming; grandchildren Trey Flemming, Lauren Calhoun (Matthew), Jordan McCubbins (Levi), and Brogan Flemming; great-grandchildren Rylee Kruse and Charlee McCubbins; husband Mac’s children, Asli Seyhanli, Naci Seyhanli (spouse Alicia, and son Kaya); niece, Barbara Richey; cousins, LynnaLou Larsen, Monica Peters, Dennis McGrew, Tim Bartlett and Lynn Bartlett. Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Don, and her only sibling, Ordelle. A private family graveside service was held at Fairmount Memorial Park in Spokane.

Fully tax deductible contributions in honor of Donna can be made to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum and mailed to Discovery Center & Museum, attn: Carolyn Purcell, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, OR 97058.