Donalda “Donna” Richardson

“That’s the lady in the office who rings the bells!”

It’s interesting what you remember when a loved one passes away. A few years ago, mom and I were walking into Gillespie‘s Hardware store and this little guy shouted that out loud. We both just had to laugh.

The family of Donalda (Donna) Ruth Richardson ( nee Windatt) would like to inform friends, family and all of you who were “ sent to the office” , that mom passed away on March 31st just one day after her 87th birthday.

Donalda “Donna” Richardson was born in Gamebridge on March 30, 1939. Her parents the late Russell and Cecilia Windatt brought their new baby home to the farm on the 8th concession of Thorah (just a couple of concessions south of Gamebridge) to meet her siblings the late Wilma and the late Earl .

On the farm, Donna learned the values of home cooked meals, helping out to help others , and how to handle black angus cows to show at the Beaverton Fair.

In her twentieth year, mom and dad ( the late David Richardson 1999) were married at the Presbyterian Church on October 3 1959. Once again , Donna moved a couple of concessions south to a 15 acre parcel of land on Hwy 12 between the 5th and 6th concessions, where mom and dad built their home. Over the years, mom and dad grew their flock of sheep, their friendships with so many people in the Beaverton area and , of course, grew their family Douglas ( Vicki),

John, and Kevin (Laurie Ann). Donna was grandmother to 5 and great-grandma to 10.

In 1969, Donna began working as the secretary at Thorah Central P.S. For the next 33 years, she was often seen walking to work along Hwy 12 since it was right next door to home. Apparently walking through the fields and hopping the fence wasn’t in her books.

Between raising her boys and “all of her former students “ at Thorah Central, Donna was also very involved in various Beaverton organizations. These included the U.C.W group for 60+ years, 1st Beaverton Cubs and Scouts, Beaverton Minor Hockey, Secretary of the Old Stone Church Cemetary Board, Beaverton Historical Society, Cancer Society, a member of the Beaverton United Church and of course, to all who would call and say “ Donna , we need your help.” She was also known to many as the lady who sold the screen doors.

Mom gave to her community and in return her community gave back. We cannot express how grateful we are to all of you who were a part of mom’s life. A very special thank you to Patricia S. (see there is still a little bit left upstairs!) and her unofficially adopted son Kevin and his wife Harriet. You always made her happy!

So the next time you are in Beaverton and you hear a bell ring, it’s probably Donna saying “hello”. Smile and remember her.

Visitation will be held at the Mangan Funeral Home on Thursday April 9th from 1P.M until time of service at 2P.M.

Donna will be interred at a later date, at the Old Stone Church Cemetery ( yup, just a concession south of Thorah Central).

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Old Stone Church may be made by cheque through the Mangan Funeral Home.