Peacefully at LWDH, in the early hours of May 8, 2021, Donna passed away in her sleep. She was 63 years old. Donna started her life with challenges. She had spinal meningitis at 10 months, appendicitis at 7, misdiagnosed with TB at 14 and starting having seizures at 28. She gave many years battling illnesses that finally got the best of her. She spent the last 9 weeks in hospital, and quickly deteriorated which left her unable to return home, but found herself in God’s hands.
She was predeceased by her father Louie (1991), mother Yvonne (2017), brother George (2009), brother-in-law John (1986), husband Alvar (1999), niece Susan (1994), nephew Dale (2020)and son-in-law Arthur (2011).
She is survived and will be greatly missed by her partner in life and in cribbage Ken Hintz, her daughter Faye (Dean) MacFarlane of North Bay, her grandchildren Jessica of Kenora, Brianna, Alexander, Zachary, Wyatt and Natalia of North Bay. Her sister Anna, brother Gene (Wanda), sister-in-law Sharon, as well as her nieces, nephews and cousins.
Donna spent the first half of her life working at Halley’s Camps. She had her only child in 1976 and raised her as a single mom. She received her private pilot’s license in 1981, which she was proud of. She enjoyed going out with the family hunting, fishing and getting wood for the winter. In 1991 Donna left the camp and starting working for Boise paper mill. She loved her job and was there for 10 yrs before being laid off due to the mill eventually closing. In 2002 Donna got into a car accident with her mom due to a seizure she had behind the wheel. After that day she no longer drove.
Donna bought a house and moved right downtown Kenora. With being so close to town she was able to find God again. She would regularly go to church and often read the bible before saying her prayers and going to sleep. You could also see her making her way down to Chicken Chef or Teds Cafe for a coffee and some lunch. She often had Brianna in tow spoiling her little girl.
After 2009 she would spend time with her new twin grandsons and Brianna at Faye’s helping her and Art with the kids. In 2009 Donna met Kenny at the legion for cribbage night. They became the duo as “KD” and could be seen laughing and smiling as they kicked butt at the game. They both loved their Monday night outings. Ken moved in with Donna in 2012. Donna seizures kept getting more and more frequent over the years and would cause her to fall and often bang herself up. She had to stay close to home. Over the last 10 years (pre COVID) you would she Donna making her daily walk down to Hings for a cup of tea, then she would truck back up the hill home. Her and Ken made a few trips to North Bay to visit Faye, Dean and the grandkids, with the last one being in 2019.
In 2018 Donna found herself now battling cancer. She underwent chemotherapy which put her in remission. Since COVID reared it ugly head, Donna would not go far from home. This didn’t help her deteriorating health. She seemed content with life but was always in pain. Every Sunday, like clockwork, she would call her family in North Bay and appeared happy but hurting. They were more bad days than good. She really missed her grandkids, going to church and cribbage with her love Kenny.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donna’s name to a charity of one’s choice.
In accordance with Donna’s wishes cremation will take place with a Celebration of Life to follow when COVID restrictions are lifted.
BROWN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE ENTRUSTED WITH ARRANGEMENTS.
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