37 Comments
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Tom Hughes's avatar

Maybe I’m alone, but in 35 years as a Blazer fan I had no idea the jerseys were hand-stitched. I will never look at them the same. Donna, you were a legend! Thanks for these articles, John.

Steven Deeley's avatar

Fantastic article. This is why I sucscribe to John's Substack.

RIP Donna.

Sarah Robertson's avatar

This one will stick with me… thanks, John. Your pieces never fail to deliver, and this one is a lovely tribute to a hidden gem of a woman.

Scott L.'s avatar

Another great one and as you say, Sunday is for heart warming stories not dealing with the chaos in college sports.

It reminded me of the minimum wage in 1971, $1.35/hr. I got a job cooking for the DQ at 122 st in park rose. The training wage was $1.25. She was a skilled seamstress and still wasn’t paid well by a professional team.

David Gulickson's avatar

I remember making $1.35 an hour at my first job

TJA's avatar

I guess I was lucky getting $1.50 for washing dishes in the early 70’s in Eugene.

Michael Morrow's avatar

I started working in 1963, right after the min wage climbed to $1.25/hr. It was enough to support me in college (basically free), working 25 hours a week. Ah, the old days!

Steve Schwab's avatar

Donna's jersey stitching hangs from the rafters with the all time greats?

Thanks for putting her there in our minds John.

Vernon Davis's avatar

Your Sunday plan is rock solid. I love these stories.

David Gulickson's avatar

Beautiful words about a woman we deserved to know about

Well done, John

Ed S.'s avatar

Whether it's $1.65 per hour or per second, everyone in the organization is a human with a life and a story. Thanks for bringing these people to us for tribute, John. Appreciate it.

Suzi Connor's avatar

A beautiful column, John. I need to remember to hold a tissue when I read the Sunday stories.

Kent Crawford's avatar

Love these types of stories best JC!! Thanks for making them a part of our subscription!!!

Steve Setera's avatar

Sad news but a good break from hearing of the heartless bombing of school kids and civilians.

RIP Donna

Kevin Gillette's avatar

Beautiful story! 🥹

Richard McKinney's avatar

beautiful column. A life well lived.

Bill scharwatt's avatar

I NEVER knew the jersey names were “hand stitched” A true labor of love… and an even lovelier tribute John .💜

Chris Davidson's avatar

Thank you for another great human story. Helps me remember all the little things I do matter to someone. Tell Shelly thanks for sharing her Mom with all of us

Lance Martin's avatar

Great story about little known but important person in the team’s operation. I just read an article about how seamstresses were hard to find lately and very much in demand. Nordstrom offered a series of classes to certify seamstresses to fulfill their demand for them.