Donna Marie McIlroy (Clarke)

It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of a very unique and special woman, Donna McIlroy (nee Clarke). The death occurred on Nov 6, 2023 at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital, Bracebridge.

 Donna is survived by her brother Douglas Clarke of Port Sydney, her daughter Shelley (Frank) Pattillo and son Sean (Traci) McIlroy all from Huntsville. She had 3 wonderful Granddaughters, Tessa and Alex Pattillo and Coco McIlroy.

Born April 23rd, 1944 to Murray and Maude Clarke of Port Sydney Ontario, Donna enjoyed a childhood life in the woods and waters of Port Sydney. With many Clarke’s residing in the area Donna was never far from family. A career at Bell Canada eventually turned into a career in Real Estate with Century 21 and Art Helstern and associates in Huntsville. On Oct 19th, 1963 Donna married Pat McIlroy and they resided in Lakewood Park, Huntsville and Shelley and Sean were born. Pat and Donna divorced in 1981 and Donna continued her career in Real Estate and advertising for several years. After retiring, Donna travelled and lived abroad in England, Scotland and Australia. She returned to Canada and lived in Montreal and then Maxville, Ontario before returning to spend the rest of her days in Huntsville.

Donna loved music; Elvis, The Beatles and Roy Orbison being her favourites. She also loved movies - Moonstruck, Splendor In the Grass, Dirty Dancing, Rebel Without A Cause, and countless others were watched over and over. She really was a romantic at heart. But by far, her favourite thing was to follow her Grandchildren’s adventures in life. With a razor sharp memory Donna could recall the time and place of any event that happened in her grandchildren's and children’s lives (or anyone else’s for that matter). She was direct, she spoke her mind, she could throw you off with her candour and she wasn’t for the faint of heart. But if you could take yourself and the world lightly, she would make you realize it’s so much better to laugh than to cry.

 We love you, we will miss you, you were very much one of a kind.

A Memorial Service for Donna will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 High Street, Huntsville on Friday, November 17th, 2023 at 1pm. There will be visitation starting at 12:30pm till service time.