Donna G Rigby Blamires

Donna Grace (Rigby) Blamires passed away peacefully in her Kaysville, Utah home on February 16, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. She was 93.

Donna was born on September 2, 1928, in Preston, Idaho. She was the first child of John and Esther Greaves. She described Preston as a perfect place to grow up. Her parents raised their family in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and she enjoyed attending church and seminary.

Donna was described by her school teachers as good, obedient, conscientious and kind to her classmates. She enjoyed socializing with others, dances, dancing and piano lessons, ice skating and playing baseball-she was always the catcher. She remembered ration cards during the war, and the sirens signaling the end of the war. She also remembers that if the kids went to Church, they could go to the movie afterward. Her dad was not very well, and her mother became the primary breadwinner, so Donna, being the oldest, learned to work hard and contribute around the house.
Donna was always a loving and caring person, and she developed a genuine love of people. She also developed a love of nursing at the age of 16, serving as a hospital volunteer.

Donna married Melvin C. Rigby in 1948 and they were blessed with five children: Shawna, Gary, Melanie, Michelle and Bruce. Later she would describe her children as the light of her life. After marrying, they lived in Preston, Idaho until 1951, then moved to Farmington, Utah and later to Clearfield. In 1958 they moved to Homedale, Idaho and started a drive-in restaurant called The Frosty Palace (which is still in operation today). In 1961, they moved back to Clearfield and then Kaysville, where Donna lived for the rest of her life.

For Donna, family always came first. She made great sacrifices after her divorce, in order to provide for her children, fulfilling her teenage interest in nursing. As a single mother, she completed her nursing degree, graduating at the top of her class. She was chosen to speak at her graduation.
She went on to work at the Veterans Hospital, and worked for Dr. Bruce Neville at the Clearfield Clinic for 25 years. She loved her job, and her patients loved her.

On the weekends, she would take the kids on outings to Salt Lake City, including window shopping at ZCMI. She loved to travel and took the kids on many trips and adventures, often visiting relatives.

Donna served in the Church, especially in the Primary and the Mutual programs, which she loved. In 1983, she served a mission in the Philippines. She loved missionary service and had a very strong testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was always a missionary at heart, and always encouraged her family to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. She was very proud of the fact that she is a direct descendent of Hyrum Smith, brother of Joseph Smith. She was Hyrum’s great-great-great grand-daughter, and she attended the Joseph Smith reunion often.

Donna had many lifelong friends, and she remained close to them. She enjoyed studying the scriptures with several of her closest friends. Family and friends were her lifeline of support. She loved gathering her family for holidays, birthdays, summer picnics, sleepovers, and campouts. She was known as the “Party Grandma,” even suggesting that we “plan a party” in the final days of her life.
Donna’s posterity includes 20 grandchildren, 40 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren. She had a talent for making each grandchild feel special. She loved spending one on one time with grandkids whenever possible. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. Just ask any of them to show you the “Chicken Dance”- which, of course, she taught them.

After her retirement, Donna was called to a service mission for the Church at the Church conference center and at the Joseph Smith Building.
Donna’s motto for many years was the scripture found in the Book of Mormon:
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men…” (2 Ne. 31:20) She could quote it verbatim, always emphasizing the “endure to the end” part. This scripture verse summed up Donna’s life: Love, hope, faith in Jesus Christ, and enduring to the end. Many of her loved ones have said she is the perfect blend of love, faith and fun!

Donna was preceded in death by her sister, Karen Giles, her grandson Jade Sessions, her two sons-in-law, Steve Meske and Mike Oliveria, and her two great granddaughters, Shaelyn Mitchell and Laila Rigby.

She is survived by her brothers: John (Nedra) Greaves and Gordon (Kerma) Greaves, and her five children: Shawna Oliveria, Gary (Judy) Rigby, Melanie Sessions, Michelle Meske, and Bruce (Marta) Rigby. She is also survived by her step-son George (Sandy) Blamires.
Rest in peace, our dear Mother, until we meet again.

Viewing will held on Wednesday, February 23, at 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary in Farmington, 1941 North Main Street, Farmington.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 24, at 11:00 am at the LDS chapel at 500 S. Main Street in Kaysville, with viewing hours preceding the funeral from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the same address.

For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be streamed live at 11:00 am using the following link: https://youtu.be/J8XvKfJR60Q