November 11, 1928 – January 18, 2014
Donna Angeline was born in Seattle on Nov. 11, 1928 to Lila and Donald Hinton. She attended Montlake Elementary School, Meany Junior High School and Garfield High School, graduating in 1946. Donna enrolled at the University of Washington and joined the Delta Gamma sorority. She forged many friendships with both her Garfield and UW classmates, who were life-long sources of camaraderie, inspiration and support.
While at the UW, Donna met and married Richard Bouillon. She graduated in 1950 with a bachelor of arts degree in Far Eastern studies, with a minor in art.
Donna and Dick lived on Mercer Island, Wash., for 20 years, raising four children. Donna’s interest in Asian culture took her to Japan, and also fueled her passion for travel.
Her destinations included the Far East, Europe, and the Middle East, including an adventurous six-week trip with her four children to Europe and the Middle East following Richard’s death in 1973. Donna returned to the UW during the mid-’70s to study Mandarin Chinese in preparation for her lifelong dream of visiting China, a dream she realized soon after the re-opening of China to the West. Her taste for exotic foods, which began in childhood, was fed by her world travels, and she requested Japanese sashimi and Indian curries up through her final days.
Donna was an avid and enthusiastic reader from childhood. She especially loved Pearl S. Buck, whose books first sparked her fascination with China. She enjoyed gardening and tennis, and was actively involved with the Seattle Tennis Club for many years. Donna had a soft spot for animals, and to the delight of her four children, she cheerfully accepted a remarkable variety of “pets” into the family home, including the typical cats, dogs, hamsters, parakeets, fish and chickens, but also a de-scented skunk, two iguanas, a caiman and a chipmunk.
She also introduced her children to the unique and interesting charms of Abyssinian cats. Donna firmly believed “the more the merrier,” and always opened her heart and home to any person or animal in need.
Donna met her second husband Robert Angeline and they married in 1975. They resided on Whidbey Island, Wash. during most of their years together, but spent many winters in the warmer climate of Santa Barbara, Calif. They developed several close friendships in the Santa Barbara area, where Donna immersed herself in the art community.
She worked in multiple mediums over her lifetime, favoring watercolor and pottery. Donna became an accomplished, award-winning watercolor artist. Her legacy lives on in her beautiful artwork, cherished by her family, friends and admirers.
Donna was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Dorcy Bouillon Itaya in 2002 and her husband Bob Angeline in 2009. She is survived by her loving children, Cindy Bouillon-Jensen of Seattle, Lincoln Bouillon of Gig Harbor, Michael Bouillon of Medford, Ore., and by her devoted brother Richard Hinton of Seattle. She will be missed by her nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many dear friends.
Donna will be remembered for her artistic talents, her intellectual curiosity, her generous spirit, her open heart, and her patient, quiet strength. Donna had a special ability to find light in the dark, and to focus on the good in people and the beauty in life.
At her request, there will be no service. The family will hold a celebration-of-life gathering for family and friends at a later date. Remembrances may be made to Whidbey Island Center for the Arts or Seattle Children’s Hospital.
