Obituary of Donalda (Donna) Jean Smith (nee Nettleton)

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Donalda (Donna) Jean Smith (nee Nettleton) passed away peacefully at Groves Memorial Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2026, in her 97th year.  

Donna was a Shamrock, born with Irish ancestry a few minutes before midnight on March 16, 1929 in Strathroy, and the only child and eldest daughter to the late Elsie (nee Zavitz) and William Nettleton. 

Donna resided on her parents’ farm until she left at age 16 to obtain her education. She was one of the first women ever to receive her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario, where she met the love of her life and husband, Harry Smith (predeceased in 1991). 

Donna and Harry married in 1954 and had four children, Barry (Rose), Bonny (Reid), Brenda (predeceased in 2010) (Tom), and Brent (Jane). Donna will also be remembered by her 13 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Donna is survived by her three nieces and predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law Grace (nee Smith) and Gerald Carter. 

Donna and Harry moved the four B’s from London to Chatham, Guelph, and where they settled in Waterloo. During and after her retirement from her career at London Life and Wilfrid Laurier University, she spent her ‘Donna Days’ very active travelling the world, reading and doing historical research, 8-days-a-week at First United Church in Waterloo with the United Church Women, a member of United Empire Loyalists, attended each Royal Wedding during her time, daily mall-walking at Conestoga Mall, volunteer at Grand River Hospital, on parent-teacher councils and reading to students in classrooms, avid member of several Bridge Groups, as well as staying well connected to her friends, family and attending her grandchildren’s many life events. 

Donna will be fondly remembered by her infinite number of friends. Donna was surrounded with so much love and friends because she knew how to be a friend and wonderful community member. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Caressant Care in Fergus for their exceptional care of ‘the Queen’ over the past three years. 

Visitation will be held at First United Church, 16 William St. W, Waterloo on Donna’s birthday on March 16, 2026 from 10:00am – 10:45am, followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00am. Reception to follow at the church in Hilliard Hall. 

Donations in memory of Donna may be made to First United Church, or to Groves Memorial Hospital, and can be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com.