Donna J Mattila of Gainesville Florida passed away peacefully on November 13, 2017, shortly after her 80th Birthday. She was born October 27, 1937 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and was the daughter of Virginia (Botzum) and James Haley. Later she moved with her family from Ohio to Florida, and there she met the love of her life Hugo Mattila. She and Hugo married and thereafter started a family.
She was a fun-loving and gentle spirit, and a most devoted mother of six who was focused on raising her family. She loved to travel and take family visits to the beach and local parks. She enjoyed gardening and listening to music, and also was an animal lover. Over the years she had owned many cats, dogs, horses and other pets, all of which were treated like family. She will be most remembered for her generosity, loyalty, and strength. She was loved dearly and will be missed by all who knew her.
Donna’s beloved husband, Hugo, preceded her in death 29-years ago. Donna now joins her sweetheart Hugo, who always will be the special person in her life that she never was able to replace.
She is survived by four daughters Virginia Nahoom, Karen Smith, Kelly (Alex) Johnson, Kathy Fitzwater, and two sons James (Peggy) and Brian Mattila, eleven grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and one great grandchild on-the-way. Donna is also survived by her brothers James (Patti) and Daniel Haley.
A service for Donna Mattila will be Saturday November 18, 2017 at the Forest Meadows Mausoleum, 4100 NW 39th Avenue. Gainesville, FL. Visitation is from 1:00-2:00 pm. Internment will follow the visitation at the same location, commencing at 2:00pm.
Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home, Gainesville, FL
