Donna Mae L'Huillier

Donna Mae L'Huillier, 91, of Titusville, passed peacefully on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Titusville Healthcare and Rehab Center. She lived a much longer life than expected and cherished every day as a gift.

Born August 22, 1933, in Titusville, Donna was the daughter of the late Hobson and Lena Guild. Donna married James "Jim" L'Huillier on February 7,1952. Shortly after being married, Jim was called to enlist in the Army and served in the Korean War. Donna wrote letters to Jim every day and even sent him a Birthday cake that arrived safely in Korea. It was devoured immediately by Jim's troop buddies. Donna and Jim shared a deep love for God, family and country. After being married for 71 years, Jim sadly passed away on August 9, 2023.

Donna graduated from Colestock High School in 1951, where she was a cheerleader throughout high school. After graduation, she worked for the High School Administration Offices as a secretary, before she and Jim started their family. Together, they loved raising their three sons and a daughter. Donna was a wonderful homemaker in every way. One of her favorite hobbies was sewing - making beautiful dresses for her daughter and her daughter's Barbie dolls.

When Donna and Jim's four children entered school, Donna worked as a part time bookkeeper for some gas stations in Titusville, Oil City and Franklin, PA. She was later employed at the Benson Memorial Library as the Bookkeeper and Finance Director, where she worked for 30 years.

Because of her love for reading books and doing accounting work, this was a perfect fit. She immensely enjoyed working with the library staff and appreciated their kindness. When she retired from the Library (twice) and was homebound, Donna was very grateful for the books that Mary and Lisa provided for Jim, Brian or Tom, to pick up and drop off.

Donna and Jim enjoyed being involved in their children's various athletic events and traveling to visit them when they moved away. They also enjoyed playing golf at local courses and many courses between home and Myrtle Beach, SC, where they traveled with close friends. Donna won a few trophies playing in the Women's Group at Green Acres and Cross Creek Golf Courses.

Donna and Jim led active lives and had a lot of fun together - from making an ice-skating rink in the back yard during the winter months for family, neighbors and friends to enjoy - to playing ping pong, table hockey, various card and board games, and dressing up for Halloween. They were avid gardeners and took great pride in maintaining their home and beautiful yard.

Donna was placed on oxygen when she was 70, hoping to live another 8 to 10 years. On her 85th Birthday, her family began calling her a miracle Mom, which she was! Her determination and strength, along with devoted and wonderful medical care from Dr. Sonnenberg and RN Cathy Wise (Aseracare Hospice) and other Aseracare Hospice staff members - assisted Donna to live a long life. She never complained about her many years of being sedentary but embraced every day that allowed her to be with her family, neighbors and friends. She coveted her time reading, playing games on her iPad, puzzling and having competitive matches of Rummikub with her daughter Diane and granddaughters, Ashley and Emily. Donna was a very caring, patient, funny, kind and generous woman, who gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. She was also known as a hip and cool Mom.

In recent years, Donna "adopted" Randy K and Mike as her sons. They were very helpful to the family, when Jim's health was failing and after his passing.

Donna is survived by her daughter, Diane L'Huillier-Favret and husband Peter of Hagerstown, MD; sons, Brian and Thomas L'Huillier of Titusville; Sister-in-law, Eleanor Orr of Titusville, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews who live across the country.

Along with Jim, Donna was preceded in death by her son Randall L'Huillier in June, 2023; a sister, Marie Mattocks; and an infant brother John Bandley.

Diane, Brian and Tom extend their deep appreciation to family, friends and neighbors - for the love and support that was given to Donna and Jim, especially during these past few years.

Services will be private to the family. A celebration of her life will be held later in the Spring - Donna's favorite time of the year.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Benson Memorial Library, 213 N. Franklin St., Titusville, PA 16354.


 

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