1939 – 2016

AUBURN — Donna Ann Walton, 77, of Auburn left her earthly presence on Monday, June 13, at her home with daughters Brenda and Belinda by her side.

Donna was born May 27, 1939, in Lewiston, one of nine children of Daniel and Elnora Nuzzo. Being from a large family, Donna always looked forward to family time and gatherings where she could dance and be the life of the party. She provided many happy memories of her “antics” at family functions, holidays and vacations. One of her many pleasures was spending time with her friends and family and playing some of her favorite card games, Skip-Bo and Hand and Foot. When she was on a winning streak, she would always let you know and it was hard not to miss it with that “Cheshire” grin she would wear.

Donna always looked forward to her Sunday afternoon lunch dates with her daughter, Belinda, at the Village Inn in Auburn. She loved the chance to socialize with the staff and enjoy the wonderful meals prepared by her son-in-law, Mike Vallee, of the family-owned business. Donna was also a former restaurant owner with her husband, Michael. They owned Mario’s restaurant in Gorham in the late ’60s until 1978. They later returned to their roots in Auburn and opened Mike’s Variety and lunch counter for a few years, then later chose to leave the stress of being a “business owner” and enter the working world.

Donna had been employed as a textile worker and worked also for Pepsi Co. After retirement, she became the devoted caregiver for many years of her husband, Michael, who had a rare heart condition. Donna was recently widowed; her husband left his earthly presence 15 months earlier. The later years for them involved spending precious time with family. Many memories were made at the family camp owned by daughter, Belinda, and her husband, Mike, on “Cobbossee” Lake in Manchester. Over the last 15 months, Donna always had the companionship of her special friend “Missy” the cat and her daughters, sisters and close friends.

She is survived by daughter, Brenda, and husband, Stephen Orach; grandsons, Jesse and Ethan Orach of Gorham; daughter, Belinda, and husband, Michael Vallee, of Auburn; grandson, Michael B. Vallee and wife, Jaime, of Old Orchard Beach; great-grandson, Michael C. Vallee; granddaughter, Ilissa and husband, Derek Cotton; and great-grandchildren, Isabelle and Calvin of Colorado Springs, Colo.; grandson, Mitchell Vallee and companion, Jess Turcotte, of Winthrop; and granddaughter, Jocelyn Vallee of Auburn. Donna also leaves behind sisters Gloria Parker, Sherall St. Laurent and Teri Poussard; and many nieces, nephews and special friends.

Donna is predeceased by her parents, Daniel and Elnora Nuzzo; husband of 56 years, Michael Walton; infant son, Bruce Michael; sisters, Jeannie Coyle, Delores Kudlick, Darlene Marin; and brothers, Richard and Danny Nuzzo.

Daughters Brenda and Belinda would like to thank the staff of doctors, nurses and aides for the wonderful care and compassion for Donna during her finals weeks at home.

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