DONATO, Jean Mary Pippa
It is with great sadness that Jean’s family announces her sudden passing at home on Tuesday, March 13, 2012, in her 89th year. She will be profoundly missed by her family, son Peter, his wife Mary, and grandsons Luke and Liam; the apples of their Nonnie’s eye. Born in New York in 1922, Jean was the only child of Fred and Emma Pippa (nee Haeffner). She received a Fine Arts degree from The Pratt Institute and worked as a textile designer for the Sperry Gyroscope Company in Brooklyn during WWII. She also worked as a freelance artist and married fellow New Yorker Natale Vincent Donato (predeceased in 1991) in 1949. Migrating to Canada in 1958, Jean and family lived in Clarkson (Mississauga) residing in her Sunningdale Bend home for more then fifty years and then on Inverhouse Drive. Jean was a well-known and tireless volunteer in the Clarkson community for more than thirty years working with the church and school and other local organizations, including the AGO. She will be greatly missed by her neighbours, many friends and family. Her grandsons enjoyed a very special relationship with their grandmother and will particularly miss their Nonnie. Jean also loved dogs and was well known among the Clarkson dog walking set. Numerous pet dogs (mostly named Banjo) experienced Nonnie’s tender loving care. Opera, needlepoint, reading, Italy, gardening and crossword puzzles those were Jean’s passions. She developed a love for opera, as a teenager going to the MET with her cousin Victor. Her artistic eye and style made for many beautiful needlepoint and pettipoint canvases over the years. And it was when she met her daughter-in-law Mary that she found her crossword companion. At Jean’s request her remains will be cast on the waters of Nantucket Sound, Cape Cod, her favourite spot. The memorial service for Jean will take place on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM at Christ Church, 1700 Mazo Crescent, Mississauga, ON L5J 1Y8. http://www.christchurch-ucc.com/location.htm.
To the family of Mrs. Donato,
My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother, mother -in- law, and Nonna. I had the privilege of knowing your mother through her position at the doctor’s office as a child. She was always such a warm and caring person and I could tell she was very special even though I was quite young at the time. She would always radiate warmth and caring to whomever she was speaking to and always had a smile on her face. Later, I learned that she lived on Sunningdale Bend (where my brother and I had a paper route) and I would look for her beautiful angel murals at Christmas on her home. I knew something was amiss when I know longer saw them but just found out over the holidays that she had passed away. The world was a better place with her in it but I know that the love she lavished on all she met will continue to live on in her friends and family. Thank you for sharing this wonderful mother with us! Our deepest sympathy to all of you, you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely, The Lammes
My family and I were very sorry to learn of the loss of Mrs. Donato, a wonderful neighbour on Sunningdale Bend throughout our 20 years there.
We remember fondly both Mr. and Mrs. Donato and their much-loved Banjo (this one, a beautiful golden retriever who lived a very long life). In particular, I remember that Mrs. Donato was a “Block Parent” in those days and I recollect knocking on her door one afternoon to escape a bully. She was always very friendly and kind to the local children who came carolling or selling Girl Guide cookies.
Our heartfelt condolences to the Donato family.
Dear Peter and Mary, Luke & Liam,
We’ve never met, but we were all big fans of Jeannie. What a great lady! She’d been a regular customer for many years and we practically fought over which of us would serve her because she was so much fun. She never complained, was always delighted to see us, and made every single person, young, old & in-between, feel so special.
We often chatted about what was on her dinner menu for various holidays and how proud she was of her grandsons. She always raved about LeRoy’s baking and told me to tell him “he’s such a dahling!” Reading these testimonies shows that she will always be remembered for how she lived and how she loved those around her. May we all try to be more like her, and may your family be comforted in the knowledge that she was loved by so many of us. We will miss her very much.
I had the good fortune to meet Jean through the Morrison family. Throughout my time at university I would go to their home with Sarah for holidays and family dinners at which Jean was a staple. Next to us fresh faced university students, Jean would shine, bringing more vitality and youthfulness to the dining room table than we did! We would all sit rapt, listening to Jean’s stories, lessons, commentaries on the news, opinions on literature and any other topics one could think of – she knew it all. While Julia and Ian make an amazing dinner, I would be more excited to see Jean than anything else. Being around a woman as vibrant as Jean makes me remember how important it is to grab life and really live it. I will miss these chances to know such a great woman.
My sincere condolences to the Donato family and to all who loved Jean.
It has been a wonderful blessing to have a third grandmother in Jean Donato. After first becoming my mom’s dog walking friend, she quickly became a very important part of our family. She was always incredibly generous of spirit and attentive to everyone around her. She was one of the most encouraging and supportive people I have ever met and she always made you feel like you were doing the right thing in life even if you weren’t so sure yourself. I am truly grateful for the wonderful source of friendship she was to all of us and for the beautiful and loving mark she made on our family. She will be dearly missed.
My mom, Julia Naimska-Morrison, and Jean became best friends years ago after meeting for daily dog walks at the local park. From this friendship, Jean really became a very special part of our family. She touched all of us in so many ways. For me, she became like a grandmother. I would always refer to her as my grandmother when sharing with my friends the latest funny thing she had said or done. But not only that, she became a wonderful friend as well. She was always so supportive of and excited for all my endeavors and loved to share stories of our travels. She could relate to anyone from any generation. She often spent holidays and birthdays with my family as did some of my university friends who would always ask when they were invited, “Is Jean going to be there?!” She was so loved by all. She had the spunk of a twenty year old which I always have and always will admire. My favourite thing about Jean was her cheeky sense of humour which always kept us on our toes and blessed us with many laughs and good times. I will never forget that fun loving attitude and I will always try to be like her as I grow older.
Jean you are one of the most generous, strong, fun, beautiful, and loving women I have ever known. I am so fortunate to have been touched by you. I will think of you, love you, and miss you always.
Sarah Morrison
Hi Peter, sincere condolences on the loss of your mother, from 2 high school friends, Mark Irwin and his sister, Pat Irwin.
I could write a book about all the joy that Jean has brought to my family. Alas I only have a brief space.
Firstly my heart felt condolences to Jeans family. She often spoke to me with pride about her son Peter, daughter in law Mary, and her grand sons Luke and Liam.
Everyone who lived in the Clarkson area knew Jean. They may not have known her by name but I am sure everyone had an encounter with her at one time or another. She could start up a conversation with a complete stranger and have them laughing in 30 seconds flat. If you owned a dog in the Clarkson area I can guarantee the your dog received a treat from Jean. She never left home without a pocket full of doggie treats. If you ran a business in Clarkson you more than likely had Jean as a customer at one time or another.
One thing that always struck me about Jean was how easily she would bond with youth. My wife Julia and I often would have Jean as a dinner guest. Other guests often included high school students, university students, and young people in general. It always amazed me how Jean would fit right in with the younger crowd. She could discuss any subject, any book. No topic was taboo. She held her own in any discussion. If she was not familiar with the topic of discussion, she would ask unending questions until she brought herself up to speed. These young people were blown away by Jean’s “coolness”, her humor and her indomitable spirit. I know this because these young people told me so.
I love you Jean and will never forget you.
Ian Morrison
Jean and I met almost 10 years ago, the day after my family adopted Tina, our beautiful cocker spaniel. Jean was walking Bo, her elderly golden retriever. In her usual open and friendly way, Jean immediately introduced herself and asked all about Tina.
From occasional encounters in the park we progressed to meeting every morning at 7am sharp by the school on Clarkson Road. Our half an hour walks were full of chats about our families, dogs, opera, mutual love of reading and any other topic that came to mind. I treasured these conversations and soon started to visit Jean every weekend morning. We would also take our dogs to the White Oaks park in the afternoons.
I admired her spunk and determination to live her life on her own terms. Even though she was often in great pain, she never ever complained or felt sorry for herself. The most she would reluctantly allow was to say from time to time that she was not having a very good day. Her sometimes quite naughty sense of humour made me laugh on many occasions. I loved her charming New York accent and all her stories from her life before she moved to Canada. Jean was forever apologizing for talking too much but I would always tell her that this is one of the things that I love about her. Jean’s charming chattiness did not prevent her from being the best listener in the world. We often marvelled at the stroke of luck that brought us together and gave us the most wonderful gift of love and friendship. Dear Jean, I hope you are in Heaven, sitting on a favourite bench under a tree with a good mystery in your hands, pockets full of doggie treats and all your dogs at your feet.
To Peter, Mary, Luke and Liam — please accept my deep condolences.
Julia Naimska-Morrison
I met Jean 7 years ago because she became very close with my mother-in-law Julia Naimska Morrison. She quickly became a wonderful friend and an important part of the whole Morrison family. She joined us for many holiday meals and shared with us the stories of her travels to Italy, stories about her grandsons, stories about her loving dogs. She also always stopped to say a few words of sincere thanks to the hosts, Ian and Julia, before the feast and always managed to touch our hearts with her sincerity and gratefulness.
I am so sad that the world and all of us in it lost such a tremendous spirit like Jean and I pray that she always knew how deeply LOVED and appreciated she was by so many people. Personally, I loved her sense of humor, her love of all things chocolate and sweet and her making me feel like I was so good and special for simply stopping by to say hi and bring her an eclair.
As I write this, I am looking at a card Jean recently gave my husband Chris and me for the occasion of our getting a new apartment. Her penmanship is so beautiful!!! At the end she writes: “Always My Love, Jean.”
Well, DEAREST JEAN, may you rest in eternal peace and may you always, always know that you have my love as well.
As we used to say to each other at the end of every phone call or visit, I now say once more:
CIAO BELLA!!!
Always My Love,
Nadja
Peter and family, I was saddened to learn of your Mother’s passing away. I, Allen, Cheryl and Nancy extend our deep sympathy to you and your family. It was indeed a priviledge for us to have met and known not only your Mother, Dad, but also your Grandparents. The Donato and Craig families go back for a long while (late 50’s). I will never forget how much enjoyment I along with my late wife shared with your parents in church, social and other local affairs. Those were great times. Again our deepest sympathy to all.
Stan Craig and family
Please accept my sincere condolences.Death is our great enemy. However, we can find hope and comfort in the words found in Revelation 21:4 when “death will be no more, nor mourning, nor pain be anymore…”
Auntie Jean, as you were so fondly named by the displaced American Schaller family. What a joy you brought! My husband was sent to Canada to expand a U.S. sister company. We bought a home in lovely Lorne Park and along with it came our first Siberian, Cubby. We would walk in the White Oaks park and met our biscuit friend, Jean and Bo. What a lovely lady with a beautiful heart. She would share her stories of family and her life’s accomplishments…most rewarding always was her son, daughter-in-law and grandsons. Shortly after meeting Auntie Jean another Siberian came home with us…Kisses. There wasn’t a day that we didn’t look forward to seeing Jean in the park on her bench. She was the matriarch of the park as far as we were concerned. We’d watch for her car to be sure she was okay and would bless us with another day of sunshine. We’d talk about our favorite place on Cape Cod being it was also one of our favorite places. She was always dressed lovely and loved when you noticed something special about her…whether it was a new haircut or a story about a piece of her jewelry. We finally came home, back to the US, but that didn’t stop our letters or calls together. You will be missed Auntie Jean and there will always be a special place in our hearts for you! God Bless! Our condolences to her loving family.
My heartfelt condolences to Jean’s family. I met Jean about 5 1/2 years ago in White Oaks park – I had just moved to the area and had a new baby and would go for a walk in the park with her every day. I always stopped & had a chat with Jean, as she would sit reading on “her” bench near the tennis courts. She was there all seasons. We had many wonderful conversations, she was full of life & told very funny stories. She was very kind to me, and adored my dog Molly, who quickly came to know Jean as the “Treat Lady” – she always seemed to have dog biscuits in one of her pockets! Molly would spot her from a great distance and pull on her leash excitedly to reach Jean, in anticipation of some treats and a few pats. I hadn’t seen her there in some time as it became difficult for her to get around, and I missed her very much. Every time I go there now I will remember her fondly and wish she was still sitting on her bench, in the sunshine. God bless you, Jean.