Donna Mclaughlin

The heart of our family closed her eyes and walked with Jesus on March 7, 2023. Heaven gained a beautiful angel when Donna McLaughlin passed away at the age of 88. She will be forever loved and missed by her family.

Donna was born on September 12, 1934, to Luverne Behling Coleman and Joseph Coleman in Bainville and raised in Great Falls.

She married William L. McLaughlin in Fort Benton on March 10, 1951. They would have been married 72 years this year. She tried to make that milestone, but Jesus wanted her sooner. There are many broken hearts left behind. She was a devoted and loving wife. Her greatest joy was raising her five children. She was an amazing and adoring mother.

Donna was a homemaker for many years. She was an accomplished seamstress and took pride and enjoyment in sewing for herself and her family. She worked at Great Falls High School as the manager of the school lunch program, often helping children in need with a hot meal. She loved her job and made some forever friends who enriched her life.

She is survived by her husband, William L. McLaughlin; children, Karen (Kraig) Pester, Sharon (Richard) Case, Lori McLaughlin, William (Ann) McLaughlin, and Jean (Greg) Luckman; and sister-in-law, Perry Coleman all of Great Falls.

Donna was always happy to have her children near her. They all found their way back home. She had nine grandchildren, Shawna Jordan, Bailey Stark, Ryan Pester, William Rose III, Thomas McPherson, Lane McLaughlin, Chase McLaughlin, Tiana Stringer, and Joseph Luckman. She had nine great-grandchildren, Zoey Rose, Shaelynn, Mason, and Rowynn McPherson, Austin Stringer, Jaydan, Michael, Cole, and Aurora Luckman. She also had three great-great-grandchildren, Alilyonah, Jayson, and Zeplin Stringer; along with numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her loving family.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Luverne and Joseph Coleman; sister, Helen Anderson; brothers, Leon Coleman and most recently her "little brother," Howard Coleman; brother-in-law, William Anderson; and sister-in-law, Janet Coleman. They are now all together again.

Donna loved to visit, and she always had a welcoming smile, a hug, and a hot cup of coffee with something good to eat. She was an amazing cook and always had enough delicious food no matter how many people dropped in. Even when she was leaving us, Mom was planning a meal so we wouldn't be hungry, she was forever caring.

She loved spring and summer time when she could spend time outside. She enjoyed her beautiful flowers and tasty home grown tomatoes. Flowers were one of her great joys along with her beloved little rescue pets, a Lhasa Apso, Muffin and Tuffy, her Siamese cat; her four baby squirrels; and the many deer she loved to watch, who visited her beautiful yard. She also loved shopping for clothes and was always dressed up.

Donna fought a brave battle against long term Covid. It drained her body with the many doctor and hospital visits, but never her soul. We are lucky enough to have a Hospice nurse in our family. Thank you Shawna for helping mom so kindly and lovingly go peacefully to her forever home. Thank you Calvin for your help and support. We are so very grateful. Her death came very unexpectedly and is overwhelming, but we know that mom is with Jesus and happy in her forever home. She told us not to be sad "because we will meet again." We miss you mom!

Per Donna's wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Our family will gather for burial of her ashes at a later date.

Donna was an amazing and loving woman. It broke our hearts to watch her leave, but we will meet again. What joy then, mom.