Flora Egidia O’Donald was born September 16, 1930, and passed away June 10, 2021. She was 90 years old, born at Scotia hospital to Giovanni and Emma Mela. She was the youngest of three. After attending grammar school in Rio Dell and then graduating from Fortuna High school in 1948, she moved to San Francisco to study Fashion Design. At age 21 she contracted polio and spent weeks in the hospital. The polio had weakened her legs and stomach muscles for the rest of her life.

In 1956 she married Robert (Buster) O’Donald and had two children, Dana and Kelly. Flora was a devout Catholic. She also was a talented artist, painting murals for St. Patrick’s Church and nature scenes or portraits for family and friends. She was also exceptionally good at sculpting and sewing.

When her daughter Dana was diagnosed with leukemia, Flora dropped everything and rushed up to Oregon to help Dana’s husband Rod take care of their two young sons Ross and Ryan for a year. Flora was the most unselfish and giving person. Her concerns were always for others. Flora was a true cancer survivor. In 1980 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went through surgery, chemo and radiation treatments. And the cancer went into remission, only to have it come back a year later. She went through the same treatments again, and the doctor told her the prognosis was poor. But the cancer stayed in remission for the rest of her life.

Flora was preceded in death by her parents, Giovanni and Emma Mela, her husband Robert (Buster) O’Donald, her daughter Dana Marie Wilson, sister and brother in law Alice and Pete Silbernagel, sister in law Jackie Mela, nephews Ron and Paul Mela, nieces Danielle Saffell, Janice Mela, good friends Wilma and Jack Thompson, Lillian Pasquini, and more.

Flora leaves behind her brother Albert Mela, her son Kelly and wife Sandy O’Donald, granddaughters Hayli and Alli O’Donald, son in law Rod Wilson (Clare), grandsons Ross Wilson (Lauren), Ryan Wilson (Katy), niece Denise Sweaney ( David), and nephews John Mela and Jack Saffell, and good friends Gloria Grundman and Carol Richardson, and others.

Special thank you to the caring staff at Mad River Hospital, Dr. Kim Ervin, her hospice care team, and Dr. Dittmer.

Services will be held June 24 at the Ferndale Catholic Church with the Rosary starting at 10:15 a.m., followed by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Mass. Graveside service at 1:00 p.m. at Oceanview Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Gobles Mortuary. Donations may be made in Flora’s name to Hospice of Humboldt.

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