Digulla, Vida - Obituaries | Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative

Digulla, Vida

DIGULLA, Vida

1925 - 2022

Vida Winnifred Digulla passed away at the Northview Nursing Home on May 16, 2022 at the age of 97.

Vida was born March 24, 1925 to Ruby and Levis Porteous in Beauchamp Township. She attended Beauchamp #2 country school and often shared memories of her days there.

Vida continued her education in Englehart High. Upon graduation her first job was in Kirkland Lake as a mothers helper for the family of the owners of Seymours Mens Wear. Her work there left her with a wide knowledge of kosher cooking which she used for years after. From there Vida moved back to Englehart where she worked in Irelands drygoods store until her marriage to Walter Digulla On June 12, 1945. Vida returned to work as a pastry cook in the dining room of the then busy Eldon Hotel.

Vida and Walter later moved to Wabewawa where they built their new home on the south half of the Digulla farm. It was here they raised their two daughters Bonnie Olive and Anna Lee.   Vida worked as a seamstress and for years took in sewing for many local residents. She was active in the Home and School Committee, the Lutheran Ladies Aid group, Chamberlain Recreation Committee and the Horticultural Society. She loved nothing more than having children, grandchildren, friends and neighbours come to visit. She always had time to sit with a cup of tea and visit.

Vida remained in their home following Walters passing in 1985. It was during these later years that her interest in gardening increased and she spent hours working out in her yard and flower beds. It was her gardens that she missed the most when she moved to Northdale Manor in her later years, and then the Northview Nursing Home. While at Northdale Manor Vida helped spearhead the planning and development of their flower gardens .

Vida was predeceased by brothers Joe, George, Arnold, and Mahlon; sister Agnes Johnson; husband Walter; infant son Lawrence; daughter Bonnie Gilbert; son-in-laws Arthur Gilbert and Winston McGonigal, and many nieces and nephews.

She leaves behind 1 daughter Anna McGonigal; 4 Grandsons Brad Gilbert (Terri Ann), Joe Gilbert (Sheryl) Kevin McGonigal (Angela) and Ian McGonigal (Julie); 7 Great-Grandchildren Alyssa Gilbert, Austin Gilbert, Sam Gilbert, Jenna Gilbert, Owen McGonigal, Aidan McGonigal and Reese McGonigal; 2 Great-great granddaughters Micah and Blakely.

Family would like to thank staff at the Northview Nursing Home for their exceptional care of Vida during her time there.

The family of the late Vida Digulla will receive friends at McDonalds Funeral Home, Englehart, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday, May 22nd. Funeral to be held at 11;00 am Monday, May 23, 2022 at McDonalds Funerall Home Ltd., Englehart. Interment will follow in the Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chamberlain Twp.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund would be gratefully received.

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13 messages received

To the family

My name is lda Hilson when Vida was at the nanor when l was volunteer there
Doing the bingo Vida use to come she was such a nice lady l always enjoyed talking, to
Her lam think of you all
Ida Hilson

Ida Hilson, May 19, 2022

The family of Vida Digulla

I am so sorry for your loss. Vida was an exceptional lady. Heartfelt condolences to all her family.

Shirley Dorsey , May 19, 2022

To Vida’s family

I am so sorry to hear of Vida’s passing. She was a lovely lady . I have many memories of our days in Chamberlain. xo

Loriann Swanson, May 19, 2022

Anna & all the family

So sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing, she was a great lady & will be missed by all who knew her, sincere condolences.

Ruth Webb, May 20, 2022

To the entire Digulla Family

Our deepest sympathies......such a sweet Lady.

Doug and Janet Spencer, May 20, 2022

Anna and family

Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing Vida led a full and love-filled life.

With sympathy,

Suzanne Burke Lalande

Suzanne Lalande , May 20, 2022

Anna

My sincere condolences on the passing of your mother….she was a wonderful woman…..RIP Vida

Ev McGoningal , May 20, 2022

Anna and family

Your mother was a very special person. I send my thoughts and prayers to you.

Jean Gorecki, May 20, 2022

Anna & family

My heartfelt condolences to Anna and all of Vida’s family. She was so kind and loving and I will always cherish the happy memories of the times we shared.

Mandy Gilbert, May 20, 2022

Anna and family

Vida was a very special lady, she will be missed. My sincerest condolences, may treasured memories help you all through this difficult time.

Ruth, May 20, 2022

Digulla family

Vida was a very special person to a lot of people. I miss her very much.
We had a great time rearranging the flower beds at Northdale Manor. We
talked of it often. She was always appreciative of others acheivments.

Janet Hynds, May 24, 2022

Anna and Family

Dear Anna and Family: Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your Mother.
She was always so interesting to listen to and willing to share her stories and knowledge.
Brian and Kathy Scott

Kathy Scott, May 26, 2022

Anna, and the Digulla and Porteous families

How sad we were to hear that Vida had passed away. She and my mother, Iona Schlievert, were first cousins on the 'Steele' side of the family. They were more like sisters than merely cousins, with a close bond. They visited back and forth regularly and spoke almost daily on the phone. As my sisters and I grew up, Vida, being the excellent seamstress the was, often made or clothes, sometimes matching outfits. We all have such fond memories of visits at Vida and Walter's home in Chamberlain Township on the Wabewawa Road. Bonnie and Anna often looked after us as both Dad (Roly) and Mom, worked shift work.

When Mom died in 1978, vida became like a mother figure to us and she always kept in touch. Talking to her and reminiscing about Mom was always so comforting. She was a wonderful woman, full of life, very industrious (her flower gardens were amazing), adept at many hand-crafts like sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, crewel, rug hooking etc..... Very talented yet most humble. As one of my sisters said, "I can't imagine a world without Vida in it". Our deepest condolences to all of you as you mourn her loss. She was much loved and she will be deeply missed. Love Nancy (Schlievert) & Loyd Packham xo

Nancy & Lloyd Packham, June 5, 2022