Drena Jean Leighton

Drena was born in Vancouver, BC to John and Hazel Brunton. She attended Killarney Secondary School and graduated in 1969. She moved to Kamloops in 1981 with Bill, the love of her life, and they later married that year. They built a sense of community in Westsyde where they spent 30 years raising their family.

She is lovingly remembered and will be missed by her husband Bill and her two children Sean Thurston (Tammy) and Ashley of Kamloops, BC; and her grandchildren Tyler and Zachary.

Drena was highly creative and made wonderful craft ornaments and attended many craft fairs in Kamloops, BC. She worked for Parks and Rec as a pre-school instructor (and Mother Goose) for many years. She loved spending time with the families who attended the programs she instructed.

She spent many years cheering on her two children and two grandchildren in their many sporting endeavours (hockey, soccer, and baseball to name a few).

She loved to travel and plan trips, especially to the Rockies and Vancouver Island. Family summer vacations were focused on camping and going to Lake Chelan and the Oregon Coast when the children were growing up. Drena was happy to have gone on wonderful trips to Australia and after retirement to England, Paris, and Greece as well as trips to the Maritimes, Eastern Canada and New York.

She was very fond of hiking and loved the Rockies, Banff, Jasper, Glacier National Park, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Utah. She loved her time hiking with the “Turtle Hikers” and also loved spending weekends and vacation time at Club Kingfisher at Mabel Lake.

Drena especially loved Mickey Mouse and Hawaii and enjoyed her many trips to Disneyworld and Disneyland, Waikiki, Maui, and Kauai. In the last six years she loved going to Victoria, Tofino, Parksville, and especially Qualicum (Seaview) to take walks or sit by the ocean (her happy place).

She will be remembered for her unconditional love to her family, delicious home cooked meals, her infectious laugh, and loving hugs. Drena enjoyed golfing and always hit the ball straight. Her putting was exceptional.

A gathering of friends and family will be held at Hal Rogers Centre in Kamloops on July 16,2023 at 2:00 pm.to celebrate her life and enjoy the love everyone had for her. Drena will never be forgotten and will remain in our hearts forever.

"The Ocean and Mountains are calling," and whenever you have the opportunity, take time to reflect in her honor all the good moments of "life" while you stand amongst the trees or with your toes buried in the sand.

If you wish to donate in Drena's memory, please consider Diabetes Canada or the local BC SPCA.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.schoeningfuneralservice.com.