WATERFORD – Donna Patrie came into the lives of Barry Patrie, and his children, Caroline Patrie and Christopher Patrie with her son David DuVall in 1974 while they all were on vacation at Disney World in Florida.

A “Disney Fairy Tale” was born when the driver of the shuttle bus from the Orlando Hyatt Regency to Disney World told people to get a pen because he was going to tell everyone how to tour the park and efficiently see the highlights. Barry had left his pens on the bedside table, so he asked the women across the aisle to borrow a pen. Later that day, Caroline spied Donna, the person Barry borrowed a pen from, in the line for lunch at Disney’s Diamond Horseshoe Saloon. Caroline ran to Donna, stepped on her toe, making it bleed, trying to return the pen. They spent the rest of the day, and the rest of the vacation together. Little did any of us know that the seeds of a new family had been planted. Donna and Barry married Aug. 30, 1974. Minnie and Mickey Mouse were their cupids and still hang in their bedroom.

Throughout the years, Donna worked as a personal assistant to Mr. Leonard Lauder of Estee Lauder, a bank teller, and Customer Service Representative for Maine National Bank and most importantly, a loving mom and wife. Donna volunteered in Yarmouth Schools and for various organizations in Yarmouth as her children went through school.

She enjoyed traveling with Barry, visiting Sweden and Finland, various Caribbean Islands, and the British Isles. Creative and crafty, she sewed, baked, and canned and pickled for her family. Later in life Donna became known in the family for her annual Christmas hand knit wool socks, beautifully knit sweaters, and scarves as well as many heirloom quality quilts and other quilted linens.

She enjoyed the shifting seasons and the various wildlife that came to their home on Jewett Pond – geese, songbirds, loons and especially the hummingbirds. Gardening and flowers, especially Barry’s daylilies, highlighted her summer days. Donna was a strong presence in our family and will be sorely missed by all.

Donna was predeceased by her parents, Donald Freed (2008) and Margaret Ruth Freed (2016) of Elkhart Ind.; and her first husband, Donald H. DuVall of Huntington, N.Y. in 1972, and is survived by her sister, Nancy Yoder of Syracuse, Ind.

Donna leaves behind her husband of 48 years, Barry Patrie; her children, David DuVall and his wife, Lily, their daughter Madeline, and her children Hailey, Sincere, Josiah, and Rumi; Caroline Patrie, her children Craig and Katrina Camara; and Christopher Patrie and partner, Gloria Clardy, and his children Maia, Mason, Quinn and FeFe.

A viewing will be held at Chandler Funeral Home, 51 Main St., South, Paris, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. A service will be held at 5 p.m. following the viewing. An on-site gathering will happen after the service, and all are welcome to attend. To share memories and condolences with the family please go to http://www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers,

the family requests that donations be made to the

American Cancer Society

in Donna’s name.

Copy the Story Link