Donna Mae McCain

Newberg resident Donna Mae McCain died May 15, 2012. She was 82. She was born January 18, 1930 in Portland, Oregon to Earle and Jennie (Riggs) Fields. She attended school in Portland and graduated from Grant High School where she was State Champion Drum Majorette. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon as a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. An avid Oregon Duck fan she served as Grand National Treasurer and West Coast Ambassador for the sorority for many years responsible and recognized for setting up many chapters for various universities and colleges from the early 1960s into the mid ‘80s. On October 9, 1954, she married Robert McCain in Portland making their home in Vancouver, WA. They made Newberg their home in 1959. They purchased half interest in The Newberg Graphic at that time and eventually owned full interest until 1985. Donna was an integral part of the community as a wife, mother, business owner, elected official, and volunteer. In 1973, Donna was named President of the Newberg Area Chamber of Commerce thus becoming the first woman in Oregon to hold the Chamber President’s office. She also served on the planning committee that designed the current First United Methodist Church. Donna was an integral part of the Chehalem Park and Recreation District. She was elected to the Board of Directors in 1985. In 2009, the Board made Donna an honorary board member for life because of her work with the District since its formation. From 1989 to 2002, Donna served on Newberg City Council. She also ran for Mayor, worked for the Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as Citizen of the year. She was a longtime member of Newberg Kiwanis International. Donna loved to dance when she was young, watching her children or grandchildren dance and participate in sports, music and equestrian events and was always there to support them. She and Bob enjoyed to travel particularly to Hawai’i and Japan. She lived to see her beloved Oregon Ducks football team play for the BCS National Championship and win the 2012 Rose Bowl. One of her favorite activities was attending the Portland Rose Festival and Pasadena Tournament of Roses parades. Survivors include: husband Robert, of Newberg, son Roger, of Newberg, daughters Janice Luppino, of Phoenix, AZ and Earlene Dunnagan, of Newberg, grandchildren Brianna McCain, Christianna McCain, of Portland, Rachael McCain, of Eureka, CA, Alanna McCleary, of Portland, Roxanne Luppino, of Redding, CA and Bradford Dunnagan, of Buxton, NC. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, only sister Barbara Barnard, nephews Wayne Barnard and Steven Scofield, niece Sharon Dibble and daughter-in-law Dianna (Rice) McCain. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, May 19 at First United Methodist Church, Newberg with Pastor Bob Flaherty officiating. A reception will follow at the church, and after that a concluding service at Valley View Memorial Park. Viewing and visitation will be from 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Friday, May 18 at Attrell’s Newberg Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in her honor to the Serenity Palliative Care and Hospice, Chehalem Park and Recreation District Foundation, University of Oregon Duck Athletic Fund, Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, Newberg Kiwanis Foundation or the Oregon Alzheimer’s Association.

Donna Mae McCain

January 18, 1930 - May 15, 2012