Irma W. Donnis

1925 - 2026

Irma W. Donnis

HATFIELD, MA - Irma (Williams) Donnis, 101, of Elm Street Hatfield, died peacefully on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Keaton, KY, January 28, 1925, the daughter of Dudley and Sallie (Lester) Williams. Irma was predeceased by her beloved husband of 68 years, Bernard, daughter Joan (Donnis) Mullins of Turners Falls, grandson Eric Donnis of Holyoke, and great grandson Aidan Mullins. She was also predeceased by three brothers and three sisters. Irma leaves a sister Mary Sue Zempter of Portsmouth Ohio and a brother Jim Williams of West Portsmouth Ohio. She leaves three sons, William and his wife Nancy of Alexandria Virginia, David of Hatfield and his former wife Lynn of Holyoke, Paul and his wife Anne of Hatfield and a son in law Gary Mullins of Turners Falls. She is survived by six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. On April 15, 1945, while working for the War Department in Washington, D.C., Irma and her sister Cloma watched the funeral procession of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and military airplane flyover from the roof of the Commerce Building. Irma was awarded the Golden Cane by the Town of Hatfield on her 100th birthday on January 28, 2025. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who devoted her life and love to her family. One could always find bubbling pots and pans on her stove, with something wonderful baking in the oven. Everyone congregated in the kitchen and when asked if she needed help, she would say, "No, keep talking, I like to listen". After everyone was served and mom made sure you had something to eat and drink, she would sit down and join the family and say, "Well - I hope you can eat it". When driving away from the Donnis house everyone remembers mom at the kitchen window smiling and waving goodbye. Irma's family and extended family will observe private services with burial at Main Street Cemetery in Hatfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice: https://giving.vnaandhospice.org or mailed to the Development Office, P.O. Box 329, Northampton, MA 01060.