Donalea J. Westfall

Donalea J. Westfall (nee Williams), 79, of North Port, Florida, formerly of Troy, Michigan, died peacefully on July 31, 2017, surrounded by family. Born February 26, 1938, in Lafayette, Indiana, Donna is predeceased by her parents, Harold D. and D. Louise (Haag) Williams, and by her brother, Kenneth Lloyd Williams. She is survived by her beloved husband, James (""Jim""); daughters Lynn Gross (Scott) and Jill Desmarchelier, grandchildren Stacey Gross, Aya Halawi and Walter J. Gross, siblings Ruth Birge (James Paxton, friend), Barbara Crider, and Harold Williams (Josephine), and many nieces and nephews. Donna was a 1956 graduate of Shadeland High School, in Shadeland, Indiana, where she was both the valedictorian and the salutatorian. She met Jim at Purdue University, where she was the administrative assistant to the student union president and he was a chemistry student after naval service during the Korean War. During her working life, Donna was an administrative assistant for law and engineering firms, and for the Oakland County Community College English Department, retiring from there in 1997. Donna was the love the Jim's life and they spent more than 55 years completely devoted to one another, raising their family in Troy, until retiring to Florida in 1998. Those who knew Donna will remember her beauty, intelligence and wit. Donna was also a talented artist, seamstress and decorator, who made everything she touched more beautiful. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Sarasota Tidewell Hospice House for their support in her final days. A memorial service will be held at Farley Funeral Home, 5900 S. Biscayne Drive, North Port, Florida 34287, Phone: (941) 426-2880 on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 4:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice Inc., 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota, Florida 34238-9989, or to the Dementia Society of America. Service Information Date: Saturday, August 5, 2017 Time: 4:00 pm Farley Funeral Home - North Port Address: 5900 South Biscayne Drive, , North Port, FL, 34287 (941) 426-2880 | Map