Donalda Irene Wilson (Hale)
On Wednesday May 29th Donalda Irene Wilson (Hale) of London, formerly of Exeter, in her 86th year, passed away peacefully at home in her sleep, surrounded by her family.
Donalda was the devoted wife to her husband Robert James “Jim” Wilson for 55 years. She was a loving and affectionate mother to her children Theresa and Brien Smith and Paul and Heather Wilson, as well as Charmaine Wise and Jim Wilson. She adored and was cherished by her grandchildren Sean (Vanessa), Matthew (Niza), Jayme (Rob), Shelby (Morgan), Abbie and Kylie. She delighted in the company of her great grandchildren Tyler, Zachary, Grace, Gwen, Violet, Lennon, Delilah and Sophia. She will be greatly missed by her niece Darlene. She was predeceased by her own loving parents Mae and Basil Preszcator, and her often and fondly remembered brothers Robert and Roy.
To list Donalda’s friends would be a daunting task… as everyone who had the privilege of knowing her, would most undoubtedly become a fast and longtime friend of hers. Many of her closest friends were very dear to her, and she considered and treated them as being members of her extended family. She will be remembered as being very loving, kind and caring, always giving and listening, at times blunt and honest, and at other times brazenly outspoken and funny.
Donalda was born and raised in Exeter, but was well travelled in her youth, spending time out west in Vancouver, as well as out east in Montreal, before settling in London, Ontario. She was a hairdresser in her earlier years, and later became a Health Care Aide and worked until retirement, lovingly caring for the elderly at the Komoka Nursing Home.
Donalda will be remembered as a woman of grace and style who in her younger years mirrored the models from the fashion magazines, and in her later years continued to take pride in her appearance; always matching her outfit to her shoes, her purse and her nails.
Donalda loved animals, particularly large cats, as was evidenced by much of the decor of her home. She cared for several pets throughout the years, including Sia, Dude, JK, Carmen (“fat cat”), and lastly Turtle, who remained loyally by her side throughout her last days.
Special thanks are extended to Dr. El Sadek and the London Palliative Care Outreach Team, as well as to the many PSW’s, community paramedics and other health care personnel that cared for Mom in the comfort of her own home. It was her wish to remain at home, even as her health declined, and we are most grateful to all of the community agencies that allowed this to happen.
We will fondly remember Mom sitting in her favourite chair in the kitchen, warmly greeting us upon our arrival, and quickly offering us a coffee or tea before catching up on our latest news and family stories.
Rest peacefully now in heaven Mom, and keep the coffee warm and the conversation lively!
A private ceremony and celebration of life will be attended by Donalda’s family and closest friends.
As an expression of sympathy, in honouring Mom’s love of animals and her desire to help those in need, donations can be made to an animal shelter or to any local women’s shelter of your choosing.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.forestcitycremation.com. Please visit Donalda’s obituary notice on Facebook.