He said Mrs Donald acted like she was in her 40s, not her 90s.
"She was all go. I never knew what she might be up to next."
Neighbour and friend Bob Nicholson said Mrs Donald has been full of life and "refused to lie down".
"She was very nice, bubbly and did everything at speed. She would do anything for anyone.
"She had her own magnificent garden and at the community garden plot she grew vegetables for everyone," Mr Nicholson said.
Mr Nicholson had just arrived home from Rotorua about 7.30pm on Friday and was greeted by a police cordon and emergency service vehicles by his house.
Mrs Donald had come to retire in Tauranga a little over ten years ago. She was born in 1924 in Pahiatua where her parents owned a dairy farm.
She was survived by two sons and a daughter, eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
Her eldest son, Kevin Donald, said his mother was one of the most active 92-year-olds there was.
She was the first one to offer assistance if anyone needed it.
When his wife died of cancer a few years ago, she was the first one there with biscuits and scones.
"She would do that for anyone. Nothing was too much trouble."
His mum enjoyed socialising - "she could easily finish a couple bottles of wine".
When Mr Donald moved from his home, the house and garden were to be bulldozed for a new development.
His mother dug up the plants and spent three days digging up roots, clearing space and replanting them at his new home in Omokoroa.
Mr Donald said the family was planning to hold a service for his mother in Omokoroa next week.
Olivia Mishriki of Sanderson Group, which managed Omokoroa Country Estate, said the incident came as a big shock.
"We are saddened by the news and our sincerest condolences go out to the family."
