Donalda "Donnie" Elizabeth Wilson

Donalda Elizabeth Wilson (“Donnie”) passed away peacefully at home on June 10, 2025, at the age of 95. Outwardly, Donnie’s life was rich with friendships; inwardly she sought spiritual insight and growth every day. Right up to the end of her life, she cultivated friendships as she remained committed to her spiritual development.

Donnie was born in Sydney, Australia on June 9, 1930. She was predeceased by her parents, Eric and Mollie Wilson, her husband Dudley Dohoo, and her son Eric Persinger. She is lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Trime Persinger and Kristie Persinger, her daughter-in-law Lisa Persinger, her grandchildren Ryan Watson, Hayley Watson, Clayton Persinger, and Tara Persinger, and three great-grandchildren, Katarina Watson, Tomika Watson, and Florence Watson.

Donnie led a life of adventure and was always willing to try something new. As a child she traveled extensively with her parents, attending school in England, Australia, and Hawaii, where she graduated from Punahou High School.  She was always proud of Punahou and continued a lifelong association with her alma mater.  To the end of her life, she still had friends there.  She began her post-secondary education at Mills College in Oakland, California, and completed a Bachelor of Arts at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. After graduating, she married John Persinger and moved to his home state of West Virginia, where they had three children.

After her marriage ended, Donnie moved with her children to Victoria, British Columbia, where her parents had retired. Many years later, she met the love of her life, Dudley Dohoo. Donnie and Dudley traveled throughout North America then moved to Burns Lake. Later they moved to the Sunshine Coast, where they built their own log cabin and owned a computer store long before computers were mainstream.  They lived on the Sunshine Coast for several years. Later still, they settled in New Westminster where Donnie became active in Unity Church and became a Licensed Teacher.

After Dudley died in 1994, Donnie took up scuba diving and dove in many exotic locations in the Pacific Ocean. She continued to travel and spent a year at an ashram in Oakland California.

In 2000, Donnie moved to Comox, where she lived for the rest of her life. She continued her association with Unity Church and was the Spiritual Leader for the Comox Church before retiring.  After retirement she continued to expand and develop her spiritual practices and studied a variety of teachings.  She was joined by her daughter Kristie in 2004, and the two of them created a beautiful home together.

Donnie’s careers also included social work in various forms, leading workshops on domestic violence and a counselling practice. She was passionate about social justice and traveled twice to the Middle East as part of peace delegations.

Donnie had a gift for connecting with people everywhere she went, and making them feel valued. She was beloved by her family and friends and will be deeply missed.

As per Donnie’s wishes, no formal service is planned. 

Donnie was able to connect with almost each and every one of you in one form or another in the last weeks of her life.  Donnie loved a party and wanted to celebrate!  Whether you met in person, a zoom call, via email, or by phone her desire was to celebrate her friendship and love with you while she was alive.   

Donnie’s family will be gathering in late August for an informal celebration of her amazing life.  The following day, at Donnie’s request, her ashes will be spread on the Sunshine Coast in the same location as her beloved Dudley.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to:

Dawn to Dawn Action on Homeless Society in the Comox Valley:

https://dawntodawn.org/donate/