Donna Illingworth

A memorial service for Donna Illingworth, 67, of Newton, will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 18, 2022, at the WallaceFamily Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. The family will greet friends following the service at the funeral home. Memorials in Donna’s name can be left at the funeral home (please make checks payable to Britney Farr.)

Donna passed away on November 12, 2022, after fighting plasma cell leukemia, which is one in a million, just like Donna. She was surrounded by her loved ones at the time of her passing.

Donna was born on August 22, 1955, to Bob Vila and Martha Stewart (also known as Dale and Frances McComas). After graduating from Monroe High School in 1973, Donna started her traveling adventures. She went to Colorado for a couple years, then made it down to Florida. She finally came back to Newton in 1982 where she started her family. Donna had two children, Ryan and Britney. Donna supported her kids all by herself. She always put everyone else first. Anyone who knew Donna would say she had the best sense of humor, always making people laugh and she had a way about lighting up a conversation.  She wasn’t just a mom of two kids, she was also a daughter, sister, nana, and friend.

Donna excelled at motherhood and was the foundation of her family, through and through. She always knew the right thing to say, even when you didn’t want to hear it. She never missed a special day. She supported Britney through college and encouraged Ryan to follow his dreams, reminding them to never give up. She was a constant cheerleader and supporter.

Donna was passionate about crafts and gardening—especially her plants. When she wasn’t filling her house with warmth and laughter, she loved spending time with her grandkids, baking, cooking, and being with friends and family. She also loved her cats.

Donna is survived by her two children, Ryan (Casey) Illingworth and Britney Farr, both of Newton; her grandchildren: Blake, Capri, Lylia and Adley; her brother Gary (Ellen) McComas; her sister, Deb (Larry) Raber; and her five nieces.  She was preceded in death by her parents.