Donna Lee DiDonato

Donna DiDonato Obituary
God needed his little angel and brought her home much sooner than her family and numerous friends would have liked. She tenaciously fought a long battle with illness, which ended only when she couldn't go on. She is now at peace.
Donna Lee DiDonato, age 76, of Shalimar, FL peacefully passed away, surrounded by her family and knowing she was loved by so many. Donna was born on July 14, 1948, in Bangor, Maine, where her father was assigned to Dow, AFB. She married Phillip D. DiDonato on December 21, 1968, in the Stewart AFB Chapel in Newburgh, NY.
Donna grew up as the daughter of an Air Force fighter pilot, and she and her older brother, Jack, travelled overseas and all over the United States with their parents, as her father was moved to new assignments. She went to Newmarket, UK shortly after she was born. She also lived at George AFB, CA, Hamilton AFB, CA, Edwards AFB, CA, Tyndall AFB, FL, Taipei, Taiwan, and Stewart AFB, NY.
She met her future husband, Phil, when her dad was stationed at Stewart AFB in New York in 1966. They have been together ever since. She loved her family and made a wonderful home for her husband and children. She was the best mom a person could ever have. She raised her children to be loving, kind, and independent. They both live those lessons to this day. She was a terrific mother-in-law and was considered as a second "mom". She was also a loving and doting grandmother to her grandson, Dominick, who carries on those traits taught to his father.
Donna was an animal lover, who would help and nurture any and all creatures that were lucky enough to cross her path. She was a longtime member of the Animal Protection League and served on the PAWS Board for many years. She rehabilitated injured hummingbirds and moved any turtle that was in the road in her neighborhood. She was known to feed the wild animals in her backyard and hosted racoons, squirrels, birds, opossums, foxes, and others, including the neighbors' cats and dogs.
She enjoyed our Friday Night Bunch each week, as many friends gathered together every Friday to catch up on the week's happenings and have a Mexican food dinner together. The group has been known to have a margarita or two before the meal. This has been a tradition since the 70's, and still meets every Friday. Donna was loved by everyone in our group, and all who knew her.
She loved family and friends and hosted an open house on Christmas Eve for many years. She loved sailing and would drop everything to get on a sailboat and take off on an afternoon sail around Choctawhatchee Bay or out into the Gulf.
She loved dancing and would be out on the floor having fun at many gatherings.
She loved to travel and had wonderful times with our group of travel companions.
She loved classical music, and she and Phil were season ticket holders to the Pensacola Symphony and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra for decades.
She was a wonderful woman and lived a wonderful life. She will be deeply missed by all who know her.
She is survived by her husband of 55 yrs, Phil DiDonato of Shalimar, FL; daughter, Kristina D. DiDonato (Steve) of Melbourne, FL; son Derek P. DiDonato (Stacy) and grandson Dominick J. DiDonato of Ft Walton Beach, FL, and brother Jack H. Brown (Linda) of Tampa, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Brown and Betty Brown.
A visitation will take place on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at Davis Watkins Funeral Home, 113 NE Racetrack Rd, Ft Walton Beach, FL 32547, followed by a Celebration of Life at 3:00 p.m.
Immediately following the service, a reception will be held at the El Matador Reception Room, 909 Santa Rosa Blvd, Okaloosa Island.
Jackets and ties are not required. Please be comfortable.
Memorial donations can be made to PAWS in Fort Walton Beach.
There are many people to thank for their help and support, including:
Donna's many best friends, who offered her encouragement and love. And now, offer our family support and kindness.
Our family, friends, and neighbors, who helped us through this, will be cherished forever.
Dr Rodney Rocconi and his staff at The Mitchell Cancer Center in Mobile, AL.
Dr "Henry" Hsiang, Courtney Loper and the whole staff at the Emerald Coast Cancer Center.
Dr Gustavo Ros and the entire staff in Ft Walton Beach, including Benrina and Marilyn.
The doctors and nurses at HCA Ft Walton Beach-Destin, who cared for Donna over these past seven years with expertise and kindness.
Not Your Ordinary Caregivers – Jay, Kim, and Wanda
CenterWell Home Nursing - Physical Therapy – Occupational Therapy
Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.da