Tribute

It is with deep sadness the family of Donna Satti Nielsen announces her

passing, peacefully on January 14, 2018 in Duncan, BC. She is survived by

children Bill Nielsen of Duncan BC (Kelly), Dorothy Nielsen of London,

Ontario (Victor Ricciotti), Rose Nielsen of Nelson, BC (Dan Obradovic),

and Gail Nielsen of London, Ontario (Campbell Thomson). She will be missed

by her dear sister, Eleanor Satti Butler of New London, Connecticut, and

by her grandchildren Harry Nielsen (Aoife), Laura Robertson (Struan), Mary

Nielsen (Travis Gibson), Thomas Ricciotti, Elijah and Jonah Thomson, and

brand new great-grandchild, Freya Rose Nielsen, and all her nieces and

nephews whom she held so dear. She was predeceased by her beloved husband

of fifty years, Harry, their daughter, Mary Krista Nielsen, and her two

brothers John and Robert Satti.

Donna was born in 1932 in New London, Connecticut not far from the

Atlantic. As a young woman she lived and worked in Brooklyn. She married

Harry at the age of twenty-one, finally settling in Windsor, Ontario.

Donna raised her children, tended her home, volunteered with community and

church groups, and finished her degree in religious studies in Windsor,

having started it thirty years prior at the University of Connecticut. She

wrote poetry and took an interest in philosophy and theology, often

helping her husband edit his academic publications. She enjoyed spending

time with her many close friends. And through the years, many of her

children’s friends found in her a faithful confidante when they needed

someone to talk to. After Harry’s death she moved to Nelson, BC, then to

the west coast near Duncan, BC, where she passed away not far from the

Pacific.

The family is extremely grateful to the dedicated caregivers at Dovehill

House in Chemainus, BC, and Cerwydden Care Centre in Duncan, BC, and to

Dr. Tanis Morris. She will be laid to rest beside her late husband in

London, Ontario.

A funeral mass was held in Duncan, BC ; a memorial service and interment

will be held in spring in London, Ontario.

Donna was constant in her faith, kindness and generosity. In many of her

books are slips of paper with names of all the people she prayed for, said

rosaries and novenas for, all the names of her beloved friends and

extensive family, living and dead, she kept tucked in the pages of her

books and in her heart.