Donna Lavery Wilwerding (Donna), 91, passed away peacefully with family close by on Sunday, February 12th, 2023 in Lakeway, Tx. She was preceded in death two months prior by her beloved husband of 70 years, Joseph S. Wilwerding. Donna, her brother Earl J Lavery and their parents were all Seattle natives. Donna and Joe lived in Lakeway, Tx for the past five years. Donna was born July 18th, 1931 in Seattle, Washington to Earl Jewell Lavery and Myrtle Boyle Lavery.
Donna was deeply devoted to her family and is survived by her five children: Karin (Paul) Szatkowski of Plano, Tx; Kristine (Gary) Lambert of Round Rock, Tx; Kolleen (Don) Blanton of Austin, Tx; Joseph (Darla) Wilwerding of Round Rock, Tx; Geoffrey (Lori) Wilwerding of Seattle, Wa, 13 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Donna attended St. Catherine’s Catholic Middle School in Seattle and graduated from Holy Names Academy, Seattle (49’). She attended nursing school and worked with a Seattle fish broker before marrying the love of her life Joseph Wilwerding in 1952. Donna and Joe embarked on a 30 year odyssey with Shell Oil Co. along with their growing family. Joe’s early audit and treasury assignments at Shell carried he and Donna and the family from coast to coast where Shell’s refineries were located. Donna loved every city, every home and every new adventure. Her greatest love of all being Joe and her family.
Donna and Joe landed in Conroe, Tx in 1969. Always the athlete, Donna immediately climbed the ranks of the River Plantation golf and tennis scene winning numerous championships in both venues. Her four time “Yard of the Month” award in RP, was equally matched by her four time River Plantation Club Champion Golf Title in the 70’s. She loved to travel the golf circuit with her many friends on the WSGA, the Women’s Southern Golf Association. Most notably were her very dear friends, Becky Mitchell and Barbara Young. She served numerous board positions at both River Plantation and the WSGA, perhaps most memorable as President of the WSGA in 1988-1989. She is recognized today as an Honorary Director with WSGA. Donna, Joe and the family attended Sacred Heart Parish in Conroe, Tx for several decades. She volunteered 22 years with Birthright of Montgomery County with a final five year term as Director. Her love and giving to family, community and friends matched her approach to golf and tennis. With faith, together we can get through the toughest Par 5’s and the toughest years that life can bring.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Donna’s nurse Vicki, who along with family and friends were always by her side. A special thank you also to Donna’s grandson, Fr. John Szatkowski, who administered sacraments to his loving grandmother Donna.
The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00am on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Emmaus Catholic Church , 1718 Lohmans Crossing Road Lakeway, Tx 78734. Recitation of the Rosary will be prior. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any Birthright Organization at https://birthright.org. Arrangements for Donna have been entrusted to Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Directors of Lakeway, Tx. Donna’s remains will be interred alongside Joe’s at Calvary Cemetery in Seattle, Wa.
“If ever two were one, then surely we.”
