- March 28, 2024
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Donna Jean (Welsh) Lewis Small died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at her residence in Winter Garden March 27. She was 86.
Donna was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and was the daughter of Irene Bammer and Ray Welsh, and the sister of Gerry Spinnenweber. She went to school and college in Youngstown and was honored recently for writing the alma mater for Fitch High School. She was a cheerleader in high school and college, was voted Junior Prom Queen at Youngstown State and later Homecoming Queen her senior year.
Donna met her husband, John “Jiggs” Small, in college when they shared a locker. They married just as he was beginning his service in the U.S. Army, and, soon after, he shipped out to Germany. Donna worked at a bank until he returned from the service, and they settled in Youngstown.
They were transferred many times over the years during Jiggs’ successful business career. They lived in Bay Village, Ohio; Topsfield, Massachusetts; Skaneateles, New York; and Lincolnshire and Lake Bluff, Illinois. Donna worked as an administrative assistant in several schools along the way, among other jobs, while taking thorough care of their four children, John, Jill, Joyce and Jim, who all survive her. John and Marie Small live in Boca Raton and Boston, Massachusetts; Jill and Tony Austin live in Orlando; Joyce and Doug Pereira live in Bethel, Maine; and Jim and Michal Small live in Tokyo, Japan.
Donna was a funny and fun-loving mom, wife, sister, aunt and grandmother who said what she thought and made sure she and everyone else had good food and a good time. She sang in the choir at every church she belonged to and passed along her love of music to her children, who can still sing a wide variety of songs by heart. She was called Gizzy by her nine grandchildren, John, Tommy and Katie Austin; John David and Sarah Small; John, Annelise and Andrew Small; and Molly Pereira.
Donna and Jiggs retired to Pinehurst, North Carolina, and enjoyed golf and lots of great friends at Pinewild Country Club, where they hosted many parties at their lakeside home. They traveled to Africa, Italy, Ireland and Brazil with family and friends. Jiggs died in 2004, and Donna relocated to Bethel, Maine. She moved to Florida in 2009. She is also survived by her niece, Nancy King Barnes; and nephews, Teddy King and John, Carl and Robbie Spinnenweber.
Funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home & Cremations, 1132 E. Plant St., Winter Garden.