Donna (Sheldon) Haack, 79, of Vernon, beloved wife of Richard G. Haack, died peacefully on Friday, January 5, 2024, at home surrounded by her family and friends after a long illness. Donna was born in Hartford, CT, daughter of the late James and Vivian (Heise) Sheldon. She was a 1962 graduate of Manchester High School and attended the University of Connecticut. Donna later graduated from Manchester Community College in 1992. She married the love of her life, Rick, on November 10, 1967. They began their life together in Boston, MA where they met, then lived in Manchester and Vernon, CT. Donna was a member of the Lutz Museum Volunteer League for many years, honored as the 1977 volunteer of the year and became league president in 1978. Later, Donna got her real estate license and was an agent for Century 21 in Manchester. She was an avid skier and enjoyed spending time at their vacation home in Vermont. Donna was a wonderful cook and loved all animals especially her cat, Walter. She sewed many of her own clothes, loved watching football, reading and the beach. Many fun summers were spent with her family at Giants Neck Beach in Niantic, CT. A kind, caring and loving wife, mother, grammy, sister, aunt and friend to many, she will be dearly missed.
Along with her devoted husband of over 56 years, Rick, she leaves her daughter Amy H. Nicklas and her husband Christopher of Vernon; her granddaughter, Lauren Contreras of Manchester; her grandson, Joshua Nicklas of Manchester; her brothers-in-law, David Joyce of Tolland; Raymond Haack and his wife Mary of Johnson, NE; Ronald Haack and his wife Deb of Brock, NE and best friends, Richard and Zenta Barger of Bolton, CT. Donna was predeceased by her sister, Nancy Joyce, and sister-in-law, Alice Nichols.