THE HEARTBROKEN husband and daughter of a much-loved deputy head teacher who died after being hit by a car while out walking her dog have paid tribute to the “centre of our universe”.
Emma Donaldson was walking her dog in the hamlet of Littletown, east of Durham City, when she was hit by a Saab travelling south-east along Coalford Lane towards Haswell Plough shortly after 6pm on Tuesday, January 26.
The 42-year-old, from Littletown, was rushed to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough but died on Thursday, January 28.
On Monday, Durham Police confirmed her identity and issued a moving statement on behalf of her husband, Alistair, and daughter Molly Rose, aged nine.
In it, they say: “Emma was a loving, caring, kind and funny mother and step-mother (to her husband’s two adult sons). She was a really special person, very hard working, extremely intelligent and always made time for others.
Emma Donaldson pictured with her husband Alistair and daughter Molly Rose
“She deeply loved her family and friends and we will never forget the times she made us laugh and cry, even it was at her expense but that’s what she loved and is the reason we all will truly miss her.
“Emma was at the centre of (the) family’s universe, we will always love her and she will always be in our hearts, never forgotten.
“Emma was a bright shining star in our lives and words are not enough to encapsulate our grief. She had the kindest of hearts, a smile for all, a strong moral compass and dedicated her life to teaching because she believed she could make a difference to every child’s life.
“She was an utterly devoted mummy to Molly Rose and we are in complete disbelief that Emma will not be around to see her beautiful daughter grow up.
“She was a loving wife, beloved daughter and best friend to her two sisters. Our world will never be the same without her. We are aching because she was our everything.
“Emma was truly the very best this world could hold. She had a life full of dreams, love and laughter to look forward to, a daughter to cherish forever and a very special part in a family that loved her.
“Her life has been taken away too soon and in such a nonsensical way, but we are privileged and honoured to say that she was ours.
“We want to extend our gratitude to the staff at James Cook Hospital, the Air Ambulance service and the emergency services but most of all to the members of the public who stopped to attend Emma. We take great comfort from the actions of these people and have been overwhelmed by the support we have received."
They added: “We hope soon to celebrate Emma’s life in a way fitting to the wonderful person she was.”
Littletown, near Durham
Mrs Donaldson was deputy head teacher at The Woodlands School for children excluded from other schools, in Ferryhill, previously known as Broom Cottages Pupil Referral Unit.
In a statement, the school said: “We are deeply saddened by the sudden death of Emma. We are proud to have known such a kind, warm and brilliant person. Our thoughts are with Emma, Alistair, Molly and her family at this time.”
The Saab driver was a man in his mid-30s from Peterlee.
Durham Police is investigating the incident and anyone who witnessed it or has information about it is asked to call PC Mike Fisher in the force’s road policing unit on the non-emergency number, 101.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel