Mrs. Donna E. (Walker) Richards

Early Wednesday morning the Gates of Heaven opened wide to welcome a deserving earth angel who blessed everyone who knew her with a twinkle in her eye, a warm smile and a wonderfully mischievous and infectious laugh. What a gal! We are so grateful for her many years of devotion and love for her family as well as her many friends. Donna was born in Virginia to parents Bernadette (Tavernier) Walker and William (Bill) Walker. Shortly after Bill was discharged from the Navy, the family moved to Malone. Many of Donna’s favorite memories were her time spent with her Meme Tavernier who conveniently lived but a block from Donna’s home. Little Donna’s best days were at Meme’s house for Cookie Day each week, when she and Meme made molasses cookies, let them cool just a bit, then each savor one to test them, then gently placed the rest in the cookie jar. Later, when Meme was busy, Donna would slyly make her way to that cookie jar and have a second cookie and sometimes a third. Meme became her best childhood friend, not only because of Cookie Day, but because Meme treated her with great respect and was full of laughter and fun. During this time, a new family member arrived, and named Lawrence (Larry) and a few years later a second brother, Craig. Donna’s first job was working with her uncle, Winnie Tavernier, at his michigan stand during Franklin County Fair Week. While in high school she enjoyed working at the Malone Bowling Alley. Donna graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone and then went to North Country Community College. She was married to Steve Richards in the Fall of 1971. 1973 the first child, Crista Lyn, arrived much to the delight of all. 1976 along came a son, Matthew. Donna totally enjoyed her children, and this joy thrilled her all her life. As time passed, Donna became an expert chef and baker constantly coming up with new ways to prepare foods, pies, cakes and many sorts of fine goodies. She was always happy for the praise she received from family and friends. Donna had diverse passions-bird watching, particularly bluebirds, hummingbirds and cardinals-drawing and painting-enjoyed shooting a rifle-fishing-by road, plane, boat or train, Donna loved to travel! Travel throughout life to destinations such as Hawaii, The Bahamas, Costa Rica in Central America, the Florida Keys, California Coast, Mexico, Maine, Oregon and more, but most of all she relished in doing things for family and friends. She was fortunate to spend most winters in Florida both on the Gulf Coast and in The Keys, especially Islamorada. Later in life, Donna’s attention was directed at two fine young men, her grandsons, Lucas who is now twelve and Grant almost eleven. She spent countless hours having great laughter and fun with them singing, dancing and including their desire to help Nana in her garden, picking apples, raspberries and blueberries, but even more so helping Nana in the kitchen learning to cook and make molasses cookies, as her Meme had done with her. Donna was a partner and involved with the operation of the Malone business, Bokie’s Drive In for 20 years. With a smile on her face, she made hundreds of ice cream cakes, all the michigan sauces, gravies, coleslaw and almost everything in the kitchen! What a gal! Donna was predeceased by her grandparents, parents, and her brother Craig. Surviving family are her husband Steve, daughter Crista and husband Nate and her two grandsons Lucas and Grant, son Matthew, brother Larry Walker, her precious cat Jenga and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. A private ceremony was held on Friday. There were no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made on Donna’s behalf to Malone Recreation Park please. Rest well our beloved “Nana” ============== We will miss you every day and LOVE YOU FOREVER!

Mrs. Donna E. (Walker) Richards

December 12, 1952 - September 6, 2023