Donna Mary McDougall, 79, of Barrie, Ontario, passed away on 01/19/2024 surrounded by family after a long battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body dementia.
Predeceased by her parents and much loved sisters Janet and Brenda. Donna will be dearly missed by daughters Tara Snyder, and Robin Mowforth (nee Snyder) (Gary Mowforth), sister Elaine McDougall, brother-in-law John Moore and sister-in-law Lynne Howarth and her grandchildren Austin Mowforth, Colton Mowforth, Arya Bastedo and Andrew Bastedo.
Born to parents Donald McDougall and Kathleen Donahee, on 05/27/1944 in Montreal, Quebec, Donna was a lifelong learner studying at St Michael's College at the University of Toronto where she graduated with her Bachelors in English and History followed by completion of a Masters in Social Work from Carleton University. Over her life, she took masters level courses in Adult Education and discovered her talent for photography, portrait sketching, guitar and cooking. She loved attending plays and concerts and going to museums and travelling with numerous friends and was an avid reader and loved attending her regular book club, and competing in Dragon Boat racing. Friends and family were often seen trying to keep up with her incredible walking speed and stamina.
Donna’s compassion and kindness led her to her career as a Social worker, working initially in Toronto for a year before she would end up working at the Barrie Children’s Aid Society for over twenty years as the Manager of foster care intake and her volunteer work with Barrie’s Out of the Cold program providing meals to people experiencing homelessness.
Donna’s curiosity and adventurous spirit took her travelling all over the world first as a solo traveller through Africa, the Middle East and Asia, then living in Iran, the USA, and Saudi Arabia and taking the family on trips to Africa, Europe and Australia before settling eventually in Barrie.
She retired in 2010 and jumped into her next role looking after her 2 grandchildren. Donna loved every moment she had with all of her 4 grandchildren
Those who were fortunate to have known her remember her laugh, compassion, love, conversation, sense of humour, hard work, determination and how genuinely interested she was in those around her. She was an excellent friend, sister, mother and nana and will be dearly missed.
The family has entrusted Adams Funeral Home with the arrangements. A Memorial is scheduled for January 28. Visitation starts at 12:00 with the Service at 1:00 reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation of Canada or Barrie’s Out of the Cold program.
Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through adamsfuneralhome.ca