Donna Bailey

Donna Jean Bailey

May 13, 1938 – August 23, 2017

Donna Jean (Williamson) Bailey, 79, of St. Johnsbury passed away at the St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab on August 23, 2017, surrounded by her family, after a long period of declining health.

She was born on May 13, 1938 in Iola, Kansas, the eldest of three children born to Kenneth and Elma (Becket) Williamson. Donna grew up and attended schools in Rapid City, SD until she met her future husband, Kenneth G. Bailey who was serving in the Air Force, stationed at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City. They were married in April of 1957.

They moved to Ken’s home state of Vermont and started a family. Donna was a working Mom and had many jobs waitressing and cooking at area establishments including The Countryside Restaurant and The Danville Restaurant (which she and Ken managed for a few years), Rabbit Hill and the Lincoln Inn.

When the children were grown, she moved to Reno, Nevada and worked and managed TJ Wholesale Distributors for her sister until her retirement. She spent 25+ years in Reno and enjoyed the easier climate and spending time with her many relatives and friends there. She made annual trips to Vermont and always made time to catch up with her dear family and friends here.

Donna enjoyed bowling, camping, crocheting, reading, playing games, video poker and Bingo but mostly loved spending time with her family. She moved back to Vermont in 2012.

She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Judy Bowman, her ex-husband Kenneth, sisters-in-law, Marilyn Clifford, Brenda Simpson, Barbara Sahlin, Judith Gray and brothers-in-law Frank Kuban and Homer Bailey.

Donna is survived by her children, Laurie (Reginald) Emmons, of Burke; Jeana (Raymond) Desilets of St. Johnsbury; Elroy (Diana) Bailey of Alton, NH; William (Tammi) Bailey of North Danville; and Suzanne Broome of East Haven; 10 grandchildren: Ryan (Elizabeth) Emmons, Erica and Robin Emmons, Nicquelle (Shawn) Timson, Daniel, Ashley, Hilary and Tanner Bailey, Dillan and Bailey Broome; six great-grandchildren: Hailey, Landen, Harmony, Gavin, Lailah and Brody; her brother, John (Barbara) Williamson of Reno, NV and her sisters-in-law: Charlotte Blodgett, Shawna Wilkerson; many nieces and nephews and cousins.

There will be a celebration of life for Donna at 2PM on Sunday, August 27, 2017 at Sayles Funeral Home in St. Johnsbury with the Rev. Kirk Thompson officiating.  Family will be available for visitation from 1PM until the hour of service.  Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made to NEK Council on Aging, 481 Summer St, Suite 101, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Condolences and memories can be shared with the family online at www.saylesfh.com