Donelda Virginia Schlesinger

Donelda "Doni" Virginia Schlesinger
Doni was born to parents Robert and Charlotte Porter on February 7, 1944, in Newton, KS.
She grew up in ElDorado. Meeting the love of her life, Victor Schlesinger at ElDorado High School.
They were married in March of 1962. Soon after they welcomed the first of 3 daughters, Amber into their lives. 13 months after Amber they welcomed Lisa. The family moved to Wichita, KS in 1968. Doni was a homemaker and mother for the next 25 years of her life. In 1974 SURPRISE They welcomed Amy to the family. Raising her 3 girls was her greatest passion.
She enjoyed serving on multiple committees and boards at her girls' schools and was an active member of Kansas Young Democrats. Joining several campaigns with dedication and determination to run grass roots operations and get out the vote projects to engage and excite young voters in the state of Kansas and nationwide. Bringing awareness and a sense of community to those around her was very important to her.
The love, values, honesty and kindness she instilled into all of us is immeasurable. It is because of this wonderful woman that we have grown into the strong women we are today. It doesn't stop there. She has 2 amazing sons-in-law. Darren, her first, and Brian her second who brought her so much laughter and fun. Doni is the proud Nana to 3 beautiful granddaughters, Victoria, Caley, and Liley and 2 handsome grandsons, Logan and Chase. She loves them without limits or judgement. Allowing them to learn and grow up to make her proud. Proud she was. In 2023 Doni became a Great-Nana to Raya. Her little Sunshine as she always said. Doni took so much pride in her family, never missing an opportunity to brag about them and their accomplishments. She loved without limits or conditions, she was generous, giving, kind and funny. What a combination. She was all the things we wanted to grow up to be.
Her favorite pastime was shopping. Doni LOVED a good trip to TJMaxx, Homegoods, Marshalls, and Dillard's. When she got to go to all 4 in one day those were the best. Her passion for fashion and shopping shaped most of her professional life as well. Working in retail with her family, selling beautiful clothes and meeting wonderful people was her favorite. She made every shopping experience personal. She had this ability to meet a customer and by the time they left she had a friend for life.
She also loved to travel. It didn't matter where we were going. I could have been a day trip, a weekend or a week. She just loved going with her family on a get-a-way.
In October Doni had the joy of watching Liley marry her best friend Jace. It was such a special gift that she was able to attend the wedding. All her loved ones together celebrating love and hope for the future. She was so happy that perfect day.
The imprint she has left on all the lives she touched has forever made us better, happier, and more loved than we ever knew.
Mom, the enormous space that you hold in all our hearts will never be empty. For you filled it with a lifetime of memories, laughter, and love. As we figure out how to do life without our best friend, please wrap your arms around all of us and keep us safe. This is by far the hardest thing we have had to navigate. Know that we will all continue every day to keep your light shining bright as it should be. You will be missed beyond measure.
Doni's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday November 16, 2024 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm at Sienna Ranch Clubhouse, 109 Sienna Drive, Rose Hill KS 67133.
Farewell Dear Mother (Anon)
Somewhere in our hearts beneath all the grief and pain,
Is a smile we still wear, at the sound of your dear name.
The precious word is 'MOTHER', she was our world you see,
But now our hearts are breaking cause she's no longer here with us.
God chose her for His angel to watch us from above,
To guide us and advise us and know that We are still loved.
The day she had to leave us when her life on earth was through,
God had better plans for her, for this, we surely knew.
When we think of her kind heart and all those loving years,
our memories surround us and we can't hold back the tears.
She truly was our best friend, someone we could confide in,
She always had a tender touch and a warm and gentle grin.
We want to thank you Mother for teaching us so well,
And though the time has come that we must bid you this farewell.
We will remember all you've taught us and make you proud you'll see.
Thank you, our Dear Mother, for all the love you showed us.
Although you've left this earth and now you've taken flight,
We know that you are here with us each morning, noon and night.