Louise V. Donaldson

Louise Marie Van Matre Donaldson

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026 passed away at the age of 100. Louise was born in Washington, D.C., on November 2, 1925 to the late Hiram Heaton and Ella Marie Van Matre. She grew up on the family farm, in Berwyn Heights, MD, with her sister Adeline. Their parents passed away when Louise and Adeline were quite young and they went to live with relatives. Louise went on to work in Washington, D.C. at a cartographer’s office but then began work at a bank in Washington after the cartographer relocated.

Louise met, and married DeWitt Donaldson, and soon began helping at the funeral home that DeWitt started in May 1931. Together they operated the funeral home and grew the business. They moved the funeral business, and their home, from Main Street, to its current location in the early 1950s. They also started a family with a daughter Diane and then their son, Jay. They continued to run the funeral home together until DeWitt’s health forced him into retirement in the mid 1980s. Louise continued to operate the funeral home and, under her management and leadership, the business continued to grow. She was an excellent businesswoman and helped to sow the seeds of a small business which would soon expand to two funeral homes and later a third. She still maintains her mortician’s license which has one of the lowest license numbers in the entire state… number M00160. Louise did all of this and served the community. She was a member of the Soroptimist Club of Laurel, volunteered with numerous events throughout the city and surrounding area. She was often found eating lunch, and discussing the current events, at Gavrile’s Soda Shop or Dougherty’s Pharmacy after a trip to Citizen’s National Bank. Louise had a fondness for the food, and especially the companionship, at Ma's Kettle often eating there four to five times a week.

Louise was quite active and enjoyed bowling, dancing and participating in various activities with her children. She often took day trips with her children and a variety of their friends. Louise also loved to travel… visiting Hawaii, Austria and numerous states.

Louise is survived by her daughter Diane J. Donaldson (David Choat); son DeWitt Jay Donaldson; grandchildren Cullen (Chelsea) Donaldson, Kaitlyn Donaldson, Meghan Donaldson, Koob Choat, Lauren Donaldson and Ashlyn Donaldson. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Ashton, Presley, Layla and Lukas. Louise is also survived by her dear sister, Adeline Veneman.