Mrs Donald died on Saturday, June 17 at 74-years-old.

As per her request, she will be lowered to her grave accompanied by Monty Python’s Always Look On the Bright Side of Life, in a coffin she painted herself. 

Son Christopher Donald said his mother had requested her funeral to be “a happy occasion”. 

In his eulogy, Mr Donald will remember his mother’s dedication to himself and his sister, Suzanne Ribet. 

“Mum once said to me about her life ‘son, from when I was pregnant with you until Suzanne finishing high school, I did not work full time. That was the best choice of my life …. We could have had more money with two incomes and bought more things, but look at what people you have turned out to be’.”

Creswick Theatre Company’s Jacinta Antonelli said Mrs Donald saved the group from folding. 

Mrs Donald was a performer and loyal supporter of the arts in Ballarat.

“Some years back the Creswick Theatre Company was about to fold and Irene came and directed some shows that she put together herself and some concerts and got some really good performers out to Creswick including her daughter Suzanne,” Ms Antonelli said.

““She did a lot of that out on her own bat. She saved the theatre.”

Mrs Donald was “a great supporter of the arts and a fine performer herself, with a flair for comedy”, Megan Ali wrote in a post to The Ballarat Stage Facebook page. 

Another member, Jo Collins, said: “I have very fond memories of Irene dating back to the 80's & 90's and sharing the stage with her particularly my very first senior BLOC production Show Boat after graduating from juniors.”

Mrs Donald (nee Horgan) is survived by her husband of 52 years Ian Donald, children Christopher and Suzanne, in-laws Stephanie and Paul, grandchildren Jacob and Caleb and sister Rob Horgan. 

A celebration of Irene Donald's life will be held at 1.30pm on Friday, June 23 at Pat Cashin Funerals, 1114 Doveton Street North, Ballarat. 

Refreshments afterwards will be at Midlands Golf Club, 330 Heinz Lane, Invermay Park. Mrs Donald has requested donations to cancer research be given in lieu of flowers.