Racine – Betty Marie Donaldson, age 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, March 16, 2014 at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center…exactly 7 months & 1 day after her beloved husband, Arthur, was born into Eternal Life.
Betty was born in Racine on June 11, 1923 to the late William and Ethel (nee: Greene) Johnson. She graduated from Washington Park High School in 1941 before attending vocational school.
On July 2, 1942 in Oklahoma City, OK she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Arthur V. Donaldson, of whom passed away on August 15, 2013. They were truly blessed with a lifelong marriage full of constant love and happiness – and still kissed and shared an “I Love You” before bed every night all the way up until the day Art died.
With a profound Christian faith, Betty was an active member and volunteer at a local church where she especially enjoyed cooking & sewing for her church family for many years. Small in stature yet larger than life, Betty was the sweetest, most kind and loving woman you could ever know. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a mother / grandmother like Betty. Among her interests, she enjoyed gardening (even weeding), playing Bingo & Canasta, and most recently, going out for something to eat.
Surviving are her children, Joan Feest, William (Sally) Donaldson, Robert (Pat) Donaldson, Ronald Donaldson, Stephen Donaldson, Carol Schowalter and David (Elizabeth) Donaldson; many treasured grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruth Anger and Jane (Richard) Nauman; brother, Harold (Riese) Johnson; brother-in-law, Gerald Donaldson; sisters-in-law, Ardice Spencer and Louise Johnson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention all by name.
In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved son, Brian (Lori) Donaldson; daughter-in-law, Lollie Donaldson; brothers, Albert (Celia) and James Johnson; brothers-in-law, Bill Anger; Clinton and Donald Donaldson; sisters-in-law, Grace Donaldson, Cynthia Horvath and Beverly Donaldson; and by Arthur’s parents, Arthur and Mae (nee: Skog) Donaldson.
In accordance with Betty’s wishes, private funeral services for immediate family members were held in the chapel of West Lawn Memorial Park on Thursday, March 20, 2014. Entombment followed in the mausoleum of West Lawn Memorial Park.
A heartfelt note of thanks to everyone at Elizabeth Residence, not only for the compassionate care, prompt attention and overwhelming support, but for the friendship extended in both Betty and Arthur’s time of need. Also, special thanks to Dr. Mark DeCheck – you are the best. May God bless all of you!
Barb Donaldson Pawlik says
It was a privilege to call you my “Mom”-in-law for almost 40 years. Sad that you will no longer be here for hugs (and fish frys), but happy you are now starting your 72nd year with Dad. Love and Hugs to all my Donaldson family. God Bless!