Obituary of Donna Marie Tupa

Donna Marie (Belanger) Tupa

February 17, 1960 - January 15, 2021

Donna Marie Tupa passed away on January 15, 2021, after a two-year battle with cancer. Always the consummate fighter, her strength and perseverance were incomparable. She made it a point to go above and beyond anyone’s expectations of her while she overcame any adversity that came her way. She will be remembered as a true warrior.

Donna was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. The first in her family to attend college, she received both her undergraduate and graduate degree in Speech Pathology from Worcester State University. Donna joined the Army in 1985 where she worked as a staff unit supervisor. After 13 years in the Army, she medically retired with a rank of Major. Donna was proud of her service and continued to share that pride with her involvement in the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization. In the last several years, she enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren, who adoringly called her “Gram Gram.”

She is survived by her father, William Belanger, husband, David Tupa, her daughters, Meghan McClendon, Jackie with her husband Travis Poe, and Meredith McKay, her niece, Kristle and her husband Jon Kendrick, her five grandchildren, Madison, Lily, Brynleigh,William, and Nathaniel, and her brothers and sisters. 

Visitation will take place at Edwards Memorial Chapel in Lakewood, WA, on January 28, 2021, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be enforced. A service with military honors will follow, but is limited to family members only due to covid restrictions.