Sister, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, Donna Mary Stewart (Schuyler) passed from this life 3:45 Monday morning, February 20, 2023 at Hospice Halifax, Halifax, Nova Scotia. At 94 years of age she passed away quietly after declining health due to kidney disease. Donna is survived by her two sisters, Sharon Petheram and Thelma Kay Cross as well as her children, Bruce (wife Colleen) and Grant (wife Sharon) Taylor, and Shelley (husband Richard) Pretty. Additionally Donna is survived by nine grand and fifteen great grand children. She was loved and cherished by her direct children as well as her step grand children. She endeared herself to all.

Donna was a farm girl beginning her life in Simcoe Ontario. The first of a family of six she grew up with a loving family on a mixed farming operation. As first born she had a full early life of helping with farming chores then onto helping with care for her siblings as they came into the family. What a time that must of been. Two younger brother, Max and Fred, and three younger sister, Thelma Kay, Lazelle and Sharon. Donna graduated from Simcoe High School in 1947 with a Commercial Diploma. Donna married her first husband in 1950, Robert Taylor Beginning her family in Simcoe. In 1959 Donna and her first husband Bob Taylor moved to North Bay Ontario continuing to raise their family there until Bob’s death in 1979.

After Bob’s death Donna began her travelling life moving from North Bay, to Huntsville and onto Oshawa doing various jobs along the way. In 1991 Donna moved to Fort Meyers, Florida, marrying her second husband David Stewart where she and David lived and travelled for many happy years. During these years Donna lived right across the street from her life long best friends Hazel and Loyd Jacobson (passed in 1993). Hazel was Donna’s first husbands sister and they continued a great relationship until Hazels passed in 2006. After David died in 2003 Donna stayed in Florida for many more years enjoying the company of her family who had much joy visiting her in Florida.

In 2015 Donna was convinced by her children to return to Canada. While being a healthy 87 year old at the time she was persuaded to moved the Nova Scotia so that she could be closer to family. Not that she needed much medical care, beyond hearing aids. She always came off as being much younger than her actual years.

The simplest pleasures in life brought joy to Donna. Donna was a wonderful seamstress and baker, icing beautiful doll cakes for many of her girls, birthday parties. Boys of course got plain cakes with wonderfully thick icing. Coins were often baked into these cakes. Fortunately no one damaged or lost teeth. However I can think of at least one cousin who mistakenly swallowed their coin. Whoops. Also Donna became an avid sports fan in her later years, following her favourite sports teams.

Donna’s Health was quite good until high blood and kidney diseases start to take their tole in the last two years. Donna however had good mobility, all be it with a walker, right up to the day before going to hospice on February 7, 2023.

The Hospice Halifax staff provided wonderful, loving care for mom during her last days. With this in mind please direct your gifts of remembrance to Donna’s memory by donating to Hospice Halifax online at https://Hospicehalifax.ca/ways-to-give/donate/ or by phone at 902-446-0929 or lastly by cheque payable to Hospice Halifax at 618 Francklyn Street, Halifax, NS B3H 3B4. Please help Hospice Halifax to continue their wonderful care for those needing support in their final days.

Celebration of life to be held July 8th at 2PM at;
Colborne Village United Church (Old Windham United Church)
30 Glendale Crescent, Simcoe, Ontario