Obituary of Donna Marie McDonald

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our Wife, Mother, Grand Mother and Great Grandmother, Donna Marie McDonald (Flikinger) on July 1, 2018.

Donna was born in Chilliwack , BC on January 5th, 1938 to Mary (Nana) and Carl Flikinger. Carl was a logger and Donna’s early years were spent in the logging camps of BC. Carl’s health declined and so they moved back to Nana’s home town of Leroy, SK to help with the farming. Carl passed away in 1949, leaving Nana and Donna to carry on. Nana married Anthony (Tony) Lorenski in 1951 and together they ran the Red and White store in Leroy. Donna received her education in Leroy and Sacred Heart Academy. After graduation she was off to Teachers College to earn her teaching certificate. In 1958 Donna married Robert “Ken” McDonald and together they raised three children, Carla, Brian and Roxanne. Donna’s teaching years started in the basement of their home and then in the public school system at Victoria School where she taught Kindergarten. Some time after that Donna joined the separate school system and continued to teach Kindergarten for a number of years before she started teaching older grades in the elementary school. Donna taught school at St. Charles, St. James and Holy Family before she retired in 1997 Donna was an amazing person, she juggled raising a family, working and taking night classes to earn her Bachelor of Education in 1982. Her passion for being a teacher was evident to anyone that knew her. As her children got older they helped Donna after suppers correcting exams and assignments that her students did. Donna loved sports and so it seemed fitting that she was also involved in the sports teams at the school’s she taught in. Winter school supervision made things a lot easier for Donna by bringing out the famous full length raccoon jacket.

Ken and Donna bought a cabin at Greenwater lake in the ‘60’s and so we spent most of our summer holidays there. Mom loved fishing and so her and Bampa went out many early mornings.... fishing rod, book and cigarettes in hand.

Donna also inherited the “craft gene” from Nana and together they made countless blankets, crafts and ceramics. Playing Cards was also a passion and sometimes it got a little heated. Reading was something that Donna instilled in not only her students, but her children and grandchildren and you were pretty much guaranteed getting a book as a gift on your birthday or Christmas.

Once the grandkids started coming things were busy for grandma and grandpa....babysitting and as they grew older - watching their hockey and football games, figure skating, gymnastics and dance just to name a few.

In 1995 Ken passed away and Donna continued teaching for a few more years before retiring in 1997, but mom wasn’t quite ready to be done so she did do some substituting for awhile. In 2001, mom married Neil McDonald. Together they travelled out east and to Australia and Hawaii and of course enjoyed many winters at their home in Arizona, their golden years together were spent enjoying life. Neil did the driving and mom the map reader..... not sure if that was helpful! They were great companions for each other.

Family and friends were extremely important to mom and that is evident in the large circle of people she touched. We will all miss mom but never forget her because even if there is only one thing you will remember about Donna Marie McDonald, it will truly be special.

Donna leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 17 years, Neil McDonald, children Carla(Dave), Brian (Catterina) and Roxanne (Dean); Grandchildren Jason (Jennifer), Travis(Coralynn), Vanessa (Nevin), Evan, Wes (Danielle) , Alana and Courtney and also great grandchildren Presley, Jase, Myer, Miller and Lincoln. Sisters in law Elaine (Jerry) and Sharon as well as nieces and nephews and many other family members and friends to numerous to mention. Donna was predeceased by her first husband Ken, mother Mary, father Carl, step-father Tony, sister Janet, father-in law and mother-in law Donald and Muriel and brother-in-law Don. We would like to give thanks to the 7th floor staff of St. Pauls Hospital for their care and to Marlene and all the workers at Trinity Manor who worked to make mom comfortable and also to Rita and the staff at Homeinstead for being companions for mom.