It is with heavy hearts we share the peaceful passing of our sister, aunt, and dearest friend. After dealing with pancreatic cancer for 20 months Donna chose to end her suffering and we are grateful she is free from pain.
Donna held a BA from UBC 1976 and a teaching certificate 1977. Donna felt as a teacher she had been given an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of her students. She made an enormous impact on the lives of many students and she continued with this dedication through her volunteer work. Donna was an active volunteer at The Lady Minto Hospital Thrift Store, The Salt Spring Seniors Services Society, and The Croftonbrook Craft Group, as well as performing numerous random acts of kindness throughout the Salt Spring Community.
Donna will be deeply missed by her surviving family; brother Robert (Carolyn) Smith; sisters Jan Smith (Paul Oeuvray) and Maureen (Dave) Milner; her beloved nephews and nieces Daniel (Lauren) Smith, Rebecca Smith, Steve (Olivia) Smith, Amelia Milner (Trevor Lemky), and Genevieve Milner; her cherished great nephews Robert and Carter Smith, Lincoln and Jasper Lemky; and her close companion Mauro Lepore.
The family expresses their gratitude to her dear friends Mauro Lepore, Bev Kay, Victoria Paul, Charlie Molnar for all their support and love. We also want to thank Island Health Community Home Services, Short-Term Nursing and The Red Cross Loan Program for their services and support enabling Donna to remain in her home. We thank The Lady Minto Hospital staff (emergency, lab and acute care), Dr Stephane Voyer and Sandi at Long Harbour Medical Clinic, Dr Ian Gummeson, Island Health Palliative Care Team, Dr Holly Slakov, Dr Don Versluis, BC Ambulance Service, and BC Cancer Society (particularly Pain and Symptom Clinic) for their compassionate care. Finally, we thank the many other individuals that helped Donna maintain her independence and quality of life.
Donna requested no service but asks you remember her by helping another, whether that be by volunteering or donation of time, goods or funds; perhaps simply by helping someone you see in need. She asks you enjoy the spring flowers and think of her.
We will miss Donna’s generosity, laughter, playfulness, and her consummate kindness… travel well dear Donna.
Donna befriended my mother through the Seniors’ Centre when my mother felt alone and lost here on Salt Spring. Donna was this wonderful spirit who made everyone around her feel special. I am so sorry for the family. They have lost an angel.
I just found out about Donna’s passing. We were close friends when we were both teachers at Raft River School in Clearwater. The apartment building had about 23 units and half were occupied by the single teachers in town. It was a bit of a dorm for us with constant visiting back and forth. When I was pregnant with my second child, Donna took prenatal classes with me. The hospital was close to the school and when I was close to delivery, someone phoned Donna and she said, “I have to go” and she was there for the birth of my daughter! She hosted a baby shower for Cheli too.
Donna was an immensely dedicated teacher. She taught grade 7 and wanted her students to see the big cities of Victoria and Vancouver. (In those days, many of our students had not been to either.) So starting in September of every year, Donna started fundraising and organizing those week long trips. You do NOT see that dedication in teachers nowadays.
She was active as chair of the pro-d committee and arranged incredible conferences in our tiny district (#26 North Thompson).
Condolences to her family…She was a very special person.