Obituary for Donna Renaud (O'Connor)
Donna Marie Renaud (nee O’Connor), daughter of John and Clara, sister to Rita (Joe), Jack (Louise), Mattie (Bea), Doreen (Marcel), Terry (Helen) and Richard (Anne). Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, accomplished baker (except for the odd apple pie), and legendary St. Patrick’s Day hostess, went to heaven to be with her one true love, Paul Armand Renaud, on September 24th, 2020.
The ‘Great Romance’ began when she married him in 1950. They went on to have 5 children, Paul (Claire), JoAnne (Denis), John, Elizabeth (Ken) and Edward. Their love not only withstood the test of time, but blossomed, even after he changed Rochelle’s name to JoAnne at the baptism ceremony that she didn’t attend, even when he started calling her ‘Woodsie’ because she spent so much time in the bushes when they played golf, and even after he left her to go for a jog that morning in May and never returned. A widow for 34 years, she always wore her engagement and wedding rings, and when asked why, would always reply “I promised him that I would be married to him for the rest of my life, not just for the rest of his”.
Donna welcomed grandchildren, Jennifer, Jesse, Chelsea, Marius, Erin, Meaghan, Caitlin, Kelsey, James and Brady, and great-grandchildren Claira, April, Grace and Dexter to the family as each arrived, with love and affection. She was the proud matriarch of her family, a family she loved deeply.
She moved to South Roseland Estates and embraced new friends and neighbours there, with the zest of the words from her favourite Tony Bennett song, “Light up your face with gladness. Hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near, that’s the time you must keep on trying. Smile, what’s the use of crying? You’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.”
Even though that smile has now departed, it will not be forgotten. NEAT OH!
The family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the care workers who so lovingly came into Donna’s home during her final days and took care of her there, as was her wish. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Donations to Hospice Windsor would be much appreciated.
On Tuesday, reservations and personal face coverings are required to attend visitation from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, 519-969-5841. On Wednesday, reservations and personal face coverings are required to attend the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (4401 Mt. Royal Dr.) at 10 a.m.
Private family interment Heavenly Rest Cemetery.
Click here to view the Funeral Mass for Donna Renaud.
If the link does not work on your system, please copy and paste the following address in your web browser: https://tinyurl.com/wg9vd8h
The ‘Great Romance’ began when she married him in 1950. They went on to have 5 children, Paul (Claire), JoAnne (Denis), John, Elizabeth (Ken) and Edward. Their love not only withstood the test of time, but blossomed, even after he changed Rochelle’s name to JoAnne at the baptism ceremony that she didn’t attend, even when he started calling her ‘Woodsie’ because she spent so much time in the bushes when they played golf, and even after he left her to go for a jog that morning in May and never returned. A widow for 34 years, she always wore her engagement and wedding rings, and when asked why, would always reply “I promised him that I would be married to him for the rest of my life, not just for the rest of his”.
Donna welcomed grandchildren, Jennifer, Jesse, Chelsea, Marius, Erin, Meaghan, Caitlin, Kelsey, James and Brady, and great-grandchildren Claira, April, Grace and Dexter to the family as each arrived, with love and affection. She was the proud matriarch of her family, a family she loved deeply.
She moved to South Roseland Estates and embraced new friends and neighbours there, with the zest of the words from her favourite Tony Bennett song, “Light up your face with gladness. Hide every trace of sadness. Although a tear may be ever so near, that’s the time you must keep on trying. Smile, what’s the use of crying? You’ll find that life is still worthwhile if you just smile.”
Even though that smile has now departed, it will not be forgotten. NEAT OH!
The family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the care workers who so lovingly came into Donna’s home during her final days and took care of her there, as was her wish. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Donations to Hospice Windsor would be much appreciated.
On Tuesday, reservations and personal face coverings are required to attend visitation from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Families First, 3260 Dougall Ave., South Windsor, 519-969-5841. On Wednesday, reservations and personal face coverings are required to attend the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (4401 Mt. Royal Dr.) at 10 a.m.
Private family interment Heavenly Rest Cemetery.
Click here to view the Funeral Mass for Donna Renaud.
If the link does not work on your system, please copy and paste the following address in your web browser: https://tinyurl.com/wg9vd8h