DONNA ELAINE WOODALL (PARKINSON)

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DONNA ELAINE WOODALL (nee PARKINSON) Beloved wife of Gordon. Loving mother of Christopher of Yellowknife, Kevin (Susan Coristine) of Vancouver, and Richard of Mississauga. Loving sister of Joyce Rich, of Winnipeg. She will be sadly missed by her aunt Gertrude Minton of Pinawa, MB and nieces Nicole Levesque of Silver Springs, MD and Michelle Levesque of Los Angeles, and cousin Eleanour Stardom. Donna was predeceased by her parents, Hazel (MacDonald) and Osborne Parkinson and sister Yvonne Levesque. Donna was born on November 25, 1928 in Winnipeg. She grew up in Roland, MB and Winnipeg, spending many winters as a child with her family in California. In 1945 she entered residence at United College in Winnipeg, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Donna was a commissioned officer in the Royal Canadian Navy (Reserve) from 1952 to 1956, when she married Gordon, serving as a doctor with the Royal Canadian Navy. From 1956 to 1970 the Woodalls lived in Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa, Winnipeg, San Diego, Waterville (Maine), Zweibrucken (W. Germany) and Halifax. In 1970 the Woodalls moved to Oshawa when Gordon retired from the Navy and went into private practice. In Oshawa she was a homemaker and worked for a time as an ophthalmic assistant in Gordons office. Donna was active in the Oshawa Art Gallery Auxiliary, serving a term as its president. She was also active in the University Womens Club and the Rotaryannes. Donna was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club. In 1985 Donna suffered a stroke that left her disabled. While she lost her ability to do many things without assistance, she never lost the qualities that defined her so well - her patience, selflessness, sense of humour, and grace. Friends may call at OSHAWA FUNERAL SERVICE "Thornton Chapel", 847 King St. W., Oshawa, ON (905-721-1234) for visitation on Thursday, June 19 from 10:00 a.m. until time of memorial service in the chapel at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oshawa Art Gallery, or an arts institution of the donors choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 16, 2003