Obituary: Sheila Donaldson

FALMOUTH – Sheila Donaldson, 90, of Falmouth, Maine, died on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. She was the wife of the late Henry Thompson “Tom” Donaldson.

Born June 23, 1936, and raised in Washington, D.C., Sheila attended Holton-Arms and Hood College and worked at Woodward & Lothrop, Lord & Taylor, and Juniors. She met Tom over cocktails, and after five dates they married on Sept. 10, 1960, at The Little Chapel at St. Alban School. They shared a love of cats and dogs and a talent for finding houses and making them beautiful. They lived in several Washington homes before moving to Maine in 1984, where they settled at 58 Applegate Lane for 18 years, the longest they lived anywhere. In her final weeks, she made her home at Falmouth House.

Sheila was independent, stylish, and quick-witted, with a sly smile and a perfect comeback. She enjoyed conversation, reading, knitting, watching golf and tennis, and keeping up with friends and family by phone, where her timing and choice of emoji were unmatched. She had a kind word for everyone, including the nurses and caregivers who looked after her.

She is survived by her children, Suzanne Donaldson and her husband Steve Laird, Douglas Donaldson and his wife Kathryn Templeton; her grandchildren, Sophie Freehling, Jack Donaldson, Olivia Bouten; and great-grandchildren, Margot and Nora Freehling.

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