Obituary of Leola Donaven (nee Godard)

Donaven, Leola (nee Godard) - It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our mother and Nana, Leola Jeanne Donaven at the age of 95 She went in the arms of her family. She will be sadly missed by her children Noreen Dillon (Len) of St Catharines and Glenn Donaven (Joan) of Seeley Bay, On, her grandchildren Kim Robillard (Kevin) of Brantford, Shawn Dillon (Tammy) of Newmarket, Barry Donaven of St Catharines and Ryan Donaven of Harrowsmith, her great- grandchildren Jeff Robillard (Melissa), Ken Searle, Chandra, Cole and Cassandra Robillard, Braedon and Riley Dillon, and her great-great grandchildren Christopher and Olivia. She also leaves behind sisters Fern Young, Theresa Sarrazin, Helen McNeil, Rolly Pehora (Walt) and Colette Ferguson (Don), sister-in-law Joyce Donaven, daughter-in-law, Laura Donaven and many nieces and nephews in the Godard and Donaven families. She was predeceased by her husband Murray and 4 brothers Leo, Gerry (Carol), Robert and his wife Joyce, and Ad (Jean). She will also be greatly missed by the members of the Dillon family who adopted her as ex-officio Grandmother Leola was born in Espanola, On and came to St Catharines about 1940. She worked as a waitress, then McKinnon Industries, (GM), and as a Rosie riveter of the Lancaster Bomber in Malton during the war. After marriage to Murray in 1945 she became a stay at home Mom and worked at local fruit farms. Once children were grown she worked at Wallace's Department Store and Pathways. She retired from Pathway and gave her job to her granddaughter and looked after Murray till he passed in 1993. Then life began again as she traveled with her daughter and son-in-law to Branson, Florida, the Gulf Coast, West Coast of Canada, Newfoundland and her last big one the Alaska Highway and Alaska a t 84. She was an awesome traveller and companion as evidenced by the fact that her son in law was more than happy to have her along. Her travelling was then limited to back and forth to Kingston, where she visited with her son and grandson and played cards with Mary Dillon, and visiting at homes of grandchildren where she always brought baked treats. She also kept busy making her own meals, especially homemade soups, needlepoint, gardening and playing cards (eucher especially). She lived in her home of 63 years on Vivian Ave until Aug 2015. She lived independently doing her own driving, appointments shopping and light yard work. At this point, in her selfless way, she chose long term care (despite opposition) as her children needed "to live their lives" We thank the staffs of Royal Henley, Niagara Gardens, Pioneer Elder Care, St. Catharines General, and most especially Henley House for their fine care. She was truly loved and treated amazingly by Centennial Park staff at Henley House since moving there in June 2016. Family will receive friends at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton Street on Wednesday March 22, 2017 from 6-8 pm and Thursday from 1-3 pm. A funeral ceremony will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 3 pm with cremation to follow. Memorial donations may be made to NHS - St. Catharines Site One Foundation or Charity of Choice in Leola's memory.