Donna Mathiesen Guilford

DONNA GUILFORD IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Donna Gay Mathiesen Guilford, age 64, of Idaho Falls, passed away January 19, 2006, at her home of breast cancer. She was under the care of Aspen Home Health & Hospice. She was born November 4, 1941, in Rawlins, Wyoming, to John Gordon Mathiesen and Rhoda Weller Mathiesen. She grew up and attended schools in Wyoming, then graduated from the University of Wyoming at Laramie. She married Gary Glenn Guilford May 31, 1965, in Laramie, Wyoming. They made their home in Denver, Colorado, for two years, then moved to Idaho Falls, where they have lived ever since. She was a homemaker and mother. Donna served as a Docent at Tautphaus Park Zoo for ten years. She enjoyed home decorating, collecting and displaying miniatures, stitchery, and loved hiking and drawing wild flowers in the Teton mountains. Donna loved spending time with her grandchildren, Cody, Taylor, and Tanner, and her stitchery club friends. Surviving are: Her Husband: Gary G. Guilford of Idaho Falls, ID Daughter: Michelle Guilford of Spokane, WA Son: John Guilford of Idaho Falls, ID Mother: Rhoda Mathiesen of Rawlins, WY Brother: Jan Mathiesen of Jackson, WY 3 Grandchildren She was preceded in death by her father, John Mathiesen. No Funeral Services will be held. The family will visit with friends Monday, January 23, 2006, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue. Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Idaho Falls Tautphaus Park Zoo, 2725 Carnival Way, Idaho Falls, ID 83402. or through the Zoo’s website at www.idahofallszoo.org. _________________________________ Condolences sent: Gaylen Denning (gaylen@cableone.net) Gary, I'm so sorry to read about your lose, I hope with the support of your family that you will find strength. Sincerely, Gaylen David Stewart (stewbig@mail.com) Gary I was sorry to hear of your loss. I hope that you will find peace at this time of loss. I am thinking of you and praying for you. Jill Kaiser jakais@msn.com I just want to pass my condolences on to the Guilford family. I am an old friend of John's but haven't spoken to him in over ten years. I was very saddened to read of his mom's passing. We are all still far too young to be losing our parents. I'm very sorry. Jill Kaiser (formerly Glover) Seattle, WA Wanda Ferguson (wolfienalamo@cableone.net) Dear Gary I am so sad to hear about your wife passing away. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. That was a very nice picture of her in the paper. Anything I can do, please be sure and let me know. You have all my sympathy Wanda w/ Sub Dispatch Gary Christensen (baldy54@cableone.net) John, So sorry to hear about your mother's passing. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time of sorrow. Gary Jan & Ron Brown (rjbrown2@mindspring.com) So sorry to learn of Donna's passing. I always thought of her as one of the most positive, pleasant gals I've ever met and this really was true as I'd meet her in the mall with her walker and even struggling with cancer she maintained that pleasant person. We had many talks about her grandchildren. They certainly were the love of her life. I was surprised to learn she was from WY, as are we. She was such a gem in so many ways. It was ironic that I read her obit and was just thinking of her the day before. Hopefully, she was free of pain. So sorry! Sincerely, Jan Mrs. Jane Priest (janelpriest@msn.com) Mr. Guilford, I was so very sorry to read about the passing of your wife. I am sure that she was a lovely person and will sorely be missed. My condolences to your and your family. Jane Priest (Taylorview Jr. High) Bob and Marlene Riplinger (mjrrar456@msn.com) Although we did not know Donna that well, we consider her a dear friend and neighbor. We appreciate the care she brought to the flowers that adorned the townhouse unit we share. We appreciate the kindnesses she demonstrated through a wave, a smile, or a word. If we had been neighbors before Donna's illness, I believe Donna and I, Marlene, would have shared mutual activities together such as photography, hiking, and stitchery. Donna's valiant battle, determination, and courage throughout her illness is an inspiration to us. May God bless the family and find additional strength through Donna's memory. Bob and Marlene Riplinger