Donna (McArter) Fischer

At Wingham and District Hospital on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, Donna (McArter) Fischer of Brussels passed away peacefully at the age of 88.

 

The devoted wife of the late Roy Fischer, who predeceased her on Dec. 1, 2012, Donna was the loving mother of Randy and Cathy Fischer and Shelley and Klaas Jorritsma.

 

She was the adored grandma of Josh and Jess Jorritsma, Richelle and Ryan Smith, Travis Fischer, Lacey and John Kolanko and Jodi and Justin Moore and the great-grandma of Alice, Saleena and Elsy Jorritsma, Aleah and Pierce Smith, Mackenzie, Gavin Kolanko and Sandie and Willa Moore.

 

Donna was the dear sister and sister-in-law of Mel and Lois McArter, Dorothea Ducharme, Ivan and Jean Fischer, Betty Knight, Maxine and Barry Wicks, Gerald Fischer and Sharon and Robin Jenkins and many nieces and nephews.

 

Donna’s greatest accomplishment was her love of her family. She was a great cook and took pride in making sure everyone was well fed on the farm. She always made sure everyone was welcome in her home. Donna took special pride in being called “Gramma Sweetie Pie” by all her grandchildren.

 

Donna is predeceased by her infant children: Colleen, Rodney and Colin, her parents John and Elsie McArter (Beirnes), brother Gerald and his wife Ruth McArter, brothers Murray McArter, Jim McArter, parents-in-law Wilfred and Ethel Fischer, brother-in-law Ross Knight, sister in-law Goldie and Gordon Stevenson, brother-in-law Oscar Ducharme, sister-in-law Martha Fischer, sister-in-law Shirley Kraehn and, recently, by special nephew Greg Ducharme.

 

A private family service will take place at Brussels Cemetery. A celebration of life for Donna will be held at the home of Shelley and Klaas Jorritsma on Friday, Aug. 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated by Donna’s family.