Donna Maria Sheffield, 94, of Winchester, Virginia, and formerly of Ilion, New York passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Heritage Hall facility in Leesburg, Virginia after a long illness.

She was born Donna June McPherson, June 5, 1930 at the Hotel Dieu Hospital, run by the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph, in Cornwall, Ontario to the late Roy and Blanche McPherson. Donna was brought across the St. Lawrence River to Nyando, New York, a tiny community which was a station on the New York and Ottawa Railway.

In April, 1937, the McPherson clan moved from Nyando (later Rooseveltown) to West Prospect St. in Ilion, New York. Donna finished the rest of 2nd grade at the East Frankfort School along with her brothers. She later went to Annunciation School and then to Ilion High School, graduating on June 29, 1948.

On October 9, 1948, Donna was given in marriage to Louis Edward Sheffield in Ilion, New York at the Church of the Annunciation. This was the first great building block in what eventually would become the extended Sheffield family and a marriage lasting 61 years.

In the 1960’s up until the late 1970’s Donna loved to paint and became a very talented artist. She sketched ten postcards which were sold in and around the Mohawk Valley for the United States Bicentennial in 1976. Later, around 1979 Donna began a doll business in Ilion, New York which later turned into making intricate quilts, teddy bears, antiqued Santa Clauses, and about 1995, the bear mascot used by Ilion High School and the bobcat mascot at Barringer Road Elementary School. Donna loved making Rosaries and Brown Scapulars most of all, her favorite Catholic devotionals.

Except for a short time in Syracuse, New York, Donna lived in Ilion, New York for 73 years. In October 2010, Donna moved from Ilion to Berryville, Virginia and then later in December, 2018 to Winchester, Virginia her final home. She was under dutiful care by her youngest son, Matthew Sheffield, until the very end of her life and assisted by family friend Alan Scott, also of Winchester, Virginia.

Besides her family, those who Donna loved the most were our Lord Jesus, his Blessed Mother Mary and the saints. She prayed her devotionals from her “Pieta Book” and was a regular attendee at Holy Mass. She loved watching “The Chosen” also. Her Catholic faith was her very life.

Donna was predeceased by her husband Louis Sheffield, her parents, Roy and Blanche McPherson, and her brothers Vernon MacPherson, Duane McPherson, Glenn McPherson, Vaughn McPherson, Dale McPherson and a great granddaughter Lorrabelle DiMaria.

She is survived by her six beloved children and spouses – daughters Dalemarie & Frank DiMaria, Susan & Michael Zaccaria, and sons Mark & Sonia Sheffield, Louis & Patricia Sheffield, Daniel & Judith Sheffield and Matthew Sheffield. Donna and Lou were blessed with 14 grandchildren, Frank & Amy DiMaria, Carrie DiMaria, Catherine & Ben Hebert, Michael & Kim Zaccaria, Amy Sheffield & Christine Floyd, Becky & Michael Knutson, Scott, Emily, Eric Sheffield, Elizabeth & Justin Tsuchida, Genevieve & Steven Mehr, Bernadette & Robert Kennedy, Dominique Sheffield, Gregory & Ruth Sheffield, 19 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donna’s family extend their sincere appreciation to the attentive and dedicated staff at Winchester Medical Center and the Heritage Hall facility in Leesburg, Virginia.

The viewing hours will be Monday, May 5, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, 1600 Amherst St., Winchester, VA 22601

Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 11:00 am.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 130 Keating Dr., Winchester, VA 22601

Burial will be on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 11:00 am, officiated by Rev. Brian Slezak.
St. Mary’s Cemetery, 5661 New York State Route 5, Herkimer, NY 13350
(Use the farthest East entrance.)