Barbara Ann Donald 

Barbara Ann Donald of Port Washington, formerly of Fredonia, passed peacefully into eternal life on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at the age of 92 with her family by her side. 

She was born in Columbus, Ga., on May 18, 1932, the beloved daughter of Oscar and Jennie (Poindexter) Weeks.

On Sept. 5, 1952, Barbara was united in marriage to A. John Donald in Tampa, Fla., and together they had two beautiful children.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband John and daughter-in-law Catherine Donald and is survived by her children John William (Jane) Donald of Fredonia and Dawn (Paul) Baldwin of Dade City, Fla.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Barbara lived a life filled with love, laughter and devotion to her family and community.

Barbara met her husband John in Florida at his jewelry store, where she not only developed an unwavering love for him but also became a woman of the trade working side-by-side with him in the jewelry business for more than 62 years. She took great pride in her work ethic, which fueled her passion for the craft and allowed her to live a full and beautiful life well into her 90s.

It was easy to spot her, often mowing her lawn in her pearls or sporting that seamlessly styled beehive hairdo — a perfect reflection of her timeless elegance. If there was one word readily repeated when describing Barbara, “classy” was it. She would also want us to mention Wendy, her beautician, who was there for decades assisting Barbara with her beautification process. The bi-weekly visits in the assisted living facility always made her feel refreshed and beautiful.

Barbara had a deep appreciation for beauty, whether it was in the form of a well-crafted piece of jewelry, the flowers blooming in her garden or ones that she painted on a canvas or the delicious meals she lovingly prepared for her family. Her homemade eggnog was a holiday tradition, and it wasn’t Christmas without her crystal punchbowl as the focal point of the table. She treasured the simple joys of life — cooking, reminiscing about her childhood and winding down at the end of a busy day with her favorite TV program, “Antiques Roadshow.”

An active and cherished member of Crossroads Presbyterian Church, Barbara found joy in her faith and in the friendships she built there. She was also passionate about spending time with her family and never missed an opportunity to attend her grandchildren’s sporting events, cheering them on with unwavering enthusiasm. She also was an avid sports fan and a lifelong supporter of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers, never missing a game.

Above all, Barbara loved her husband John with all her heart and with the type of love that will last for eternity. We know they are finally reunited and both smiling down on their loved ones, hand-in-hand, with one of them also having a hand on a fanny.

Barbara’s memory will live on forever in the hearts of her grandchildren Brittany (Jay) Demaske, Mindy (Mitch) Bartczak, Johnny (Holly) Donald and Mandy Baldwin; her great-grandchildren Madison, Morgan, Maddox, Maeleigh, Lillian, Jordyn, Benjamin, Zane and Zoey; and her blended family, which she cherished deeply: Jason (Heather) DeRuyter, Travis (Sue) DeRuyter and their children, Allie, Sawyer, Laila and Holden.

Barbara will be inurned next to her husband at Crossroads Memory Garden in Mequon, and we will have a celebration of her life after the holidays, at which time a notification will be shared.

Eernisse Funeral Home of Port Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Onlinecondolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.