Mathilda June Donch

Abingdon, Virginia

JUNE 1, 1922 – JUNE 22, 2024

Mathilda June Donch, age 102, passed away on June 22 at her daughter’s home in Abingdon, Virginia.  June lived the last 12 years of her life in Abingdon with her daughter, Marsha, and husband, Steve Demase.   Throughout her lifetime, she enjoyed music, movies and theater.  While living in Abingdon, she loved attending the Barter Theatre.

She was named June, after the heroine, June Tolliver, in “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine.”

Throughout her lifetime, she was devoted to her family as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.  She loved children.  After raising her own, she volunteered as a teacher’s aide at two separate elementary schools. June was an avid reader and enjoyed writing.  The story of her life was given to each grandchild as a remembrance of their ancestry.  An excellent seamstress, she made clothes, not only for her own family, but also made doll clothes for several nieces and her granddaughters.  June, and her husband, Harry Donch, enjoyed creating crafts and loved to travel, visiting 47 states.  During retirement, they moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona, where they resided for 28 years. 

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Harry August Donch, Jr., her parents, John and Bertha Gordon, a granddaughter, two brothers and three sisters. Survivors include her son, John Donch and wife, Suzette; daughter Marsha Demase and husband, Steve; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

We thank District Three Senior Services for Respite Service, and Caris Hospice for their faithful care.  Special thanks to our CNA, for her invaluable support and love.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Abingdon United Methodist Church.

Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Donch.