On March 8, 2009, Donna F. West passed away surrounded by a host of friends and family.
She was a major supporter of the collision repair industry and its associated activities over her 37-year career as co-owner, with her husband Mike West, of Southtowne Auto Rebuild in Tukwila, Wash.
Donna was the only female president of the Autobody Craftsman Association of Washington State in 1994-95. She worked to bring together repairers, insurers and vendors to improve and upgrade the collision repair industry.
Donna was an ASE Certified Collision Repair Damage Estimator and had worked in the ASE B-6 Test Workshop to update the ASE Estimator’s Test.
She recently became an AAM (Accredited Automotive Manager) and was proud of this designation authorized and originated by the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Automotive Management Institute (AMI).
In 2007, Donna was recognized as a Most Influential Woman in the Collision Repair Industry by Akzo Nobel in Las Vegas during the 2007 NACE Convention.
Donna was born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on January 21, 1946, and is survived by her husband Mike and three loving Irish daughters, Kelly, Colleen and Molly. Her mother Mrs. Ruth Sundler survives her also.
She will be missed by many.
Donations can be made in Donna’s name to the Highline Medical Center Foundation. Check memos should note, "to Highline Hospice in memory of Donna F. West." Mail donations to: Highline Medical Center Foundation, 16259 Sylvester Rd. S.W., Suite 101, Burien, WA 98166.
Cards or flowers can be sent to: Southtowne Auto Rebuild, 14864 Tukwila Int’l Blvd., Tukwila, WA 98168.
