Louise Mae Donaldson

Louise M. Donaldson

Age 89, a longtime resident of Bloomfield Hills, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2021 surrounded by her children. She was born May 2, 1932 in Detroit, Michigan; daughter of Claude and Emily (nee Nelson) Holland. Louise graduated from Mackenzie High School in Detroit, class of 1950.

Among her many qualities, Louise was a very industrious woman. She was the dedicated owner of Alger’s Deli and Liquor in Grosse Pointe from 1974 until 2018. With her cherished recipes she ran the much-heralded deli, while the store was operated by her children. Louise was an excellent cook and made delicious homemade soups. She retired in 2018 but continued to cook for her family.

Louise was an incredible artist; her medium was oil painting. She was generous enough to share her beautiful pieces with family and friends and talented enough to sell her art. Louise was an avid reader. She found beauty in antiques and often went treasure hunting at flea markets with her family. Louise enjoyed gardening both floral and vegetable; she was known for her giant juicy tomatoes. She liked following the stock market daily and invested wisely. Louise also liked going to the casino to play the slot machines. She had a wonderful sense of humor and wasn’t above hearing a risqué joke.

Louise created a very close and large family she loved dearly. There are many fond memories of the times she vacationed with her family at her home on Bear Lake in Kalkaska. Louise was the matriarch who kept the family intertwined over the years. The love they shared was unconditional and her legacy will live on through her family and all those she touched.

Louise is survived by her children, Charles Donaldson, Claudia (Michael) Muer, Sheree (Daley) Hill, Jay (Linda) Donaldson, and Tammy (Paul) Olexa; her brother Claude Holland; her grandchildren, Danielle (Steve) Hojara, Brandon (Cynthia) Donaldson, Brad Carroll, Kyle (Sarah Matteson) Carroll, Courtney (Jon) Doellner, Adam Hill, Kelley (Christopher) Rays, Kathryn (Blaise) Salter, Lauren Donaldson, Paul (Stephanie) Olexa II, and Allison Olexa; and her great grandchildren, Tommy, Dillon, Andrew, Ethan, Angelina, Brady, Clara, Camryn, Annabelle, Landon, Madison, Francis, and Archer. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles, and her sisters Dolores Gaudreau and Evelyn Galway.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 from 1pm-4pm at Camp Ticonderoga, 5725 Rochester Road, Troy, MI 48085. Please RSVP to the invitation.

In lieu of flowers, contributions would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.