Veronica O’Donoghue
elevated XrwWi April 3, 1929 ~ April 5, 2026
elevated XrwWi Visitation
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
elevated XrwWi Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated XrwWi Funeral Mass – Chapel of St. Joseph (within the Funeral Home)
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
elevated XrwWi To watch Mass live
elevated XrwWi Interment
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery
8361 Yonge Street, Thornhill, ON, L3T 2C7
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Veronica O’Donoghue, on April 5, 2026, Easter Sunday, the holiest day of the year, just two days after celebrating her 97th birthday.
Veronica was born in Dublin, Ireland, on April 3, 1929, to Thomas and Annie O’Neil. She was the middle sister of Pauline Gillette and Joan O’Neil, both predeceased. Vera enjoyed a wonderful childhood, with fond memories of playing tennis and horseback riding.
She began her career in the airline industry with Aer Lingus, which gave her the opportunity to travel internationally. In the mid-1950s, she immigrated to Canada alongside her lifelong best friend, Sheila Redman Donaldson. Together, they built meaningful lives and raised their families while proudly maintaining their Irish heritage.
While in Toronto, Vera was reunited with her Irish sweetheart, Desmond. They married in 1958 and went on to raise three children: Brian O’Donoghue (John Filice), Scott O’Donoghue, and Tara O’Donoghue.
In 1972, Vera began a 27-year career with the Toronto Star, retiring in 1999. After Desmond’s passing in 1984, she showed incredible strength and dedication as a single working mother. Vera remained deeply devoted to Desmond, her one true love, and never remarried.
Following her husband’s passing, Vera embraced travel, exploring the world with Sheila and creating many cherished memories along the way.
She will be lovingly remembered by her extended family, including a niece in the United States and many nephews in Ireland, all of whom brought her great joy.
A Funeral Mass of Catholic Burial will be held at Holy Cross Funeral Home on April 14, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., where she will be laid to rest and reunited with her beloved husband.
We would love to thank all the personal support workers who have cared for her.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Toronto Humane Society would be appreciated.
When Great Trees Fall
Maya Angelu
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
Vera was my mother’s cousin. I have fond memories of Vera as a young girl in Fairview. She was always full of fun. I’m very sad to hear of her passing.
My deepest condolences, Tara, Scott and Brian. Your mom was a wonderful person. Happy, carefree and very funny! Always up for a little drink. She will be missed.
Love and prayers.
Mark Redwood and family