Obituary of Dona Jean Riddell

Dona Jean (Widdifield) Riddell

February 20, 1942 — January 25, 2026

 

With great sadness, we share that Dona Riddell died peacefully at Kingston General Hospital early in the morning on January 25. Dona was in her 83rd year of a full life committed to love and service.

 

Dona was the loving wife and equal partner of Barry Riddell for 62 wonderful years. She was the loving and proud mother of Ian (Mark Harrower) and Eric (Leah) and a devoted grandmother to Hunter and Paige.

 

Dona was the daughter of Ivan and Vera Widdifield and grew up in Toronto with her sisters, Ann (David) and Helen (Skip). She will be deeply missed by her sisters and their spouses, her brother-in-law Brian and his wife Janet, her nieces and nephews, and all their families.

 

Dona and Barry married in 1963, and after time living together in Toronto, the United States, and Sierra Leone, they settled in Kingston in 1969 when Barry began work at Queen’s. Dona worked as an accountant for several businesses and volunteer agencies in Kingston, including the Elizabeth Fry Society, the Greater Kingston MS Society, and the Kingston General Hospital Auxiliary.

 

Dona crafted a community of support and friendship with her neighbors and in the university community: knitting together, playing bridge and canasta. We have fond memories of the sound of joyous laughter filling the house as Mom and Dad played cards with dearest friends.

 

In 2019, she was awarded the Sovereign Medal for Volunteers. The citation read, “By volunteering with organizations such as the KGH Auxiliary, the MS Society, and the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, Dona Riddell has positively shaped her community. Often serving as treasurer, she has been instrumental in ensuring the success and financial sustainability of the organizations she is involved with.”

 

Ian and Eric share, “Our mom taught us to always pay attention to doing things well. She also taught us, along with our father, to notice who was being left out and to see neighbours who others saw as different as equals and friends. She was the source of Ian’s love for crossword puzzles and his inspiration as a knitter. For Eric she sparked a love of food, curiosity for trying new dishes, and comfort in the kitchen.”

 

Dona was kind and fierce and never let us doubt for a moment that we were loved completely.

 

A celebration of life will be planned in the near future. For those who wish to donate in Dona’s memory, please consider the Kingston Partners in Mission Food Bank.

 

We would ask that you share your memories of Dona and what made her special to you. Online condolences can be made at cataraquicemetery.ca.