Wanda Joan Simar, 90, Orange

Wanda Joan Simar, 90, of Orange, Texas, passed away on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at A Place Called Home in Orange.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 29, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church. Officiating will be Reverend Antony Paulose. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, July 28, 2023, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A Rosary will be led by Catholic Daughters of The America’s, Court St. Cecilia #1936, at 6:00 p.m. Deacon Melvin Payne of St. Mary Church will be officiating the Wake service to follow at Claybar Funeral Home.

Born in Orange, Texas, on March 15, 1933, she was the daughter of Louis V. Donaldson and Ann Nola (Hotard) Donaldson. Wanda lived her faith and shared that faith with her family. She was a wonderful example of Christ’s love to everyone she met. She graduated from St. Mary High School in 1950 and was a lifelong member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She was a past Regent of Catholic Daughters of The America’s Court St. Cecilia #1396 for 72 years. Wanda was also a member of St. Mary Altar Society, and St. Mary Senior Group. She was also a member of the St. Mary Choir since she was a teenager and started The Angel Choir at St. Mary in 1993 as organist and director. The Angel Choir would often sing at funerals. At the age of 83, Wanda wrote and published her book, “Words of Wisdom” in 2016. She also led her daughters Blue Birds, and Campfire Girl group for many years. She co-founded, with Ella Guillory, the Orange County Parkinson’s Support Group. She was truly a wonderful soul and will be deeply missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, S. Roy Simar; sisters, Nola Schultz Fuller, Julia Ann Shreve, and Charlotte Ewing; and brothers, Louis Valsin (L.V.), Jr. Donaldson and Shelby Donaldson.

She is survived by her children, Danny Simar and wife, Cheryl, of Baton Rouge, La, Diane Vaughan and husband, Chris of Missouri City, Tx, Julie Patronella and husband, Sam, of Orange, Tx; great niece, Cara Louise Nance Campbell; grandchildren, Laney Simar Sanders and husband, Judson of Baton Rouge, La, Sabrina Patronella, Marsi Patronella, Samantha Patronella, Michael Roy Patronella and wife, Kaitlyn, all of Orange, Tx, and Alex Vaughan and wife, Jenessa of Houston, Tx; great grandchildren, Blake Allbritton and (Anna), Allie Jo Allbritton, Rustyn Ackerman, Bentley Pappillion, Maeve Patronella, Valen Kelly Roy Patronella, Shelby Sanders, and Alice Sanders; she also leaves behind Jamie Smith, who was much more to Wanda than a caregiver; as well as many other loving family and friends.

She is also survived by three special ladies who are like daughters to her, Sid Lofton, Marcella Vaughan, and Margaret Vaughan; as well as James “Butch” Broussard, who was like a son to her.

The family would like to express their gratitude and love to Kathy Cummings and Ora Marshall, who cared for Wanda like they would their own mother at A Place Called Home.

A special thank you to Elaine Stephen and Compassion hospice for going the extra mile while caring for Wanda.

Serving as pallbearers will be Judson Sanders, Alex Vaughan, Michael Patronella, Blake Allbritton, Rustyn Ackerman, and Bentley Pappillion.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Eljay Foundation for Parkinson Awareness, Inc at https://eljayfd.org/ or mailed to P.O. Box 16558 Lake Charles, La 70616. Memo: Wanda Simar-Orange County Support Group.