Donna M Gentry

SCOTTSDALE - Donna M. Gentry passed away on April 6, 2024. Donna was born on August 26, 1934, in Alamosa, Colorado to Louis and Betty Gulzow. As she would say, she was the oldest, middle, and youngest child. She graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1952. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Foods and Nutrition with a Major in Science from Arizona State University in 1957. She applied her excellent people and organizational skills in her professional career which included work in the field of Architecture and then 20 years in Dentistry. During her time in college, she fell in love with and married her husband Ray, who she met on a blind date. They shared 69 years of marriage and were blessed with four daughters, Radonna, Rebecca, Rachel, and Roxanne. Donna was a force of nature and poured her full self into things she cared about. She received numerous awards for her leadership, volunteerism, and impact. Her passions and hobbies included family, equality/food/shelter for all, education, sewing, back packing, camping, river rafting, reading, cards, games, car racing, ASU sports and Diamondbacks baseball. She volunteered extensively for the church including teaching the youth, serving as camp counselor, chairing the board, leading missions, planning worship, chairing the women’s group, stewardship, material aids, loving and accepting disenfranchised LGBTQIA+ youth/young adults, and multiple church conference significant leadership roles. Other key volunteer activities included Family Promise, Scottsdale Public Library, Camp Fire leader, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, and shopping for those who are shut in. Donna is survived by her husband Ray, daughters Radonna [Mike], Rebecca [Tom], Rachel [Derek], and Roxanne; nine grandchildren Lindsay [Brian], Kat [Steven], Courtney [Alan], Winston [Hanna], Audrey, Weston, Whitney [Casey], Vinnie [Taylor], and Sammy [Hunter]; ten great grandchildren Kaden, Myles, Finley, Amelia, Nora, Ryker, Bennett, Alex, Louis, and Finley; numerous other beloved family members as well as all those who felt she was their mom/grandmother. A memorial service will be held at Scottsdale Congregation United Church of Christ, 4425 N. Granite Reef Road, on Saturday, April 27 at 11:30am with a reception to follow. Donations can be made in her memory to the church playground fund at https://scucc-106745.square.site or to Family Promise of Greater Phoenix at https://familypromiseaz.org/donate