AVIS DE DÉCÈS
Donna Lynn (Patrick) Rankin
19 août 1957 – 9 février 2021
Peacefully and courageously Donna Lynn Rankin (nee Patrick) passed away at home in Stouffville, Ontario on February 9th, 2021 with her immediate family by her side.
Donna is survived by her husband of 43 years Michael, and daughters, Vanessa (Joel) and Kristen. She will be deeply missed by her eldest sister Gail (Geoff), and brothers Jim (Mary-Ellen), and Alex (Nicole), as well as her many nieces and nephews. Awaiting Donna in heaven is her beloved sister Wendy, along with her caring parents Mable and James Patrick. Also awaiting her in heaven are her mother-in-law and dear friend, Elizabeth Rankin, and her much loved maternal grandmother Lilly Cassidy who were both guiding lights for Donna throughout her life.
Early in her career, Donna applied her sharp intellect and fine attention to detail as a bookkeeper for ACTRA. At mid-life she took the brave step to return to school to follow her life-long dream of pursuing a career in food. Following numerous apprentices and several years of study, Donna graduated from the Culinary Arts Program at George Brown College. As a professional Chef, Donna worked diligently within the industry, leading her to build her own successful corporate catering company, Northern Bounty Inc., based in Newmarket, Ontario. Her pride in this accomplishment and tenacity to follow her dreams as a third-generation female entrepreneur continues to be a huge inspiration to her daughters and was felt by all who knew her.
Donna had an altruistic spirit and earlier in life was a dedicated volunteer at The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture. Following retirement, Donna’s desire to continue to make a difference by helping others led her to volunteer with Emmanuel International and an extended stay in Malawi, Africa where she worked as a hands-on volunteer with the United Nations World Food Programme. As an active member of the Stouffville community, she found great joy working with The ABLE Network and their wonderful participants, as well as volunteering for Laura Hunter’s STEPS Program, and as an involved and caring advocate for residents at Parkview Long-Term Care Home.
Donna’s adventurous nature inspired travels off the beaten path with her husband and daughters in Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Portugal, Costa Rica, and led us to walk the beautiful Camino de Santiago through Spain. She greatly enjoyed trips with her dear friends to China and Italy.
Throughout her life, Donna was incredibly strong, tenacious, hardworking, caring, and devoted to those she loved. Her sense of humour was quick and helped to carry her and those around her throughout her 2018 pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Every step of the way she continued to possess her trademark combination of immense courage and pragmatism. She ensured that she took care of everyone else first and that this disease did not win in defining her life.
As a family, we wish to sincerely thank the Evergreen Palliative Care team for their excellent and compassionate care in keeping Donna as comfortable as possible in her final weeks. Donna will forever be engraved on our hearts. A spirit as big as hers will not go far from those she loved in life. Thank you to everyone who has known and loved Donna as much as we do and who will continue to keep her memory alive within them.
Donna embraced and lovingly shared this quote from Joe Biden with us to assist in our grief, and we hope it helps you too: “There will come a day, I promise you, when the thought of your son, or daughter, or your wife or your husband, brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye. It will happen. My prayer for you is that day will come sooner than later.”
In lieu of flowers, if so compelled, donations to support Evergreen Hospice evgcares.org would be greatly appreciated.
A Celebration of Life will be announced by the family at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com for the Rankin family.
DONS
- Evergreen Hospice
Services
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Souvenirs
Donna Lynn (Patrick) Rankin
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ENVOYEZ CONDOLEANCESTina McLeish (Wintels)
9 mars , 2021
I worked with Donna many, many years ago but we still always kept in touch. She was so much fun to work with, there was always something that we were laughing about. Anyone that knew her was very lucky, she was a great friend to have. I am so sad that she is gone, she will be sadly missed by everyone. RIP Donna. ❤️
Lindsay Moore
22 février , 2021
Sending our thoughts to Michael and all of the family. We were very fortunate to have Donna share her time and her love of cooking with us. Donna's compassion and generosity were unmistakable, and a great example for us all. We are thankful for the time we had with Donna, and we will forever cherish the memories we made.
Rest in Peace.
Your friends at The ABLE Network
Jennifer Fowler
17 février , 2021
Our thoughts go out to Michael and all the family. Donna's warm and giving nature will always be remembered! Will never forget how super organized she was and always meeting with a smile!
A special thank you for giving your time and energy to the ABLE Network.
Rest in Peace.
Brandon, Stu and Jen Fowler
Kaitlyn Henry
17 février , 2021
I have many good memories of Donna, one of my favourites is the time we went over to their house and had a BBQ and played giant jenga in their backyard. I will really miss her. I am sorry for your loss
Maria Gewarges
17 février , 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
Jonathan and the Gewarges Family
(Able in Stouffville Family)
Lizzie Jordan
17 février , 2021
It was nice to meet Donna at ABLE. I enjoyed our cooking times.
She was always happy.
May she Rest In Peace in God’s arms!
Cecelia Palmer
13 février , 2021
Vanessa and family,
Our love goes out to you all in this time of grief and loss. We hope the memories and time you have had together can carry you forward and lighten your grief in time. Your connection to her will be enduring and we know she will be carried forward in your hearts, minds and actions in this world.
Love,
Cecelia and Warren Palmer
Larry & Angela Stewart
12 février , 2021
We got to know Donna during our China tour with her and Michael, and then on subsequent visits with Lynda & George over the years. Her kindness, thoughtfulness and friendship were sincerely appreciated, and she will be fondly remembered.
Our sincere condolences to Michael, Vanessa, Kristen & family
Larry & Angela
Jeff Nolte
12 février , 2021
My memories of Donna - Fanny & Matthew's wedding, their baby shower and Thanksgiving with Mabel in Stouffville ... Matthew and I went to visit once and Michael & Donna took us outside to show us the GIANT tree in their backyard - bigger than their arms could encircle - with hopes that love and fond memories will remain long after some of the feelings of loss recede.
Jeff, Cindy, Brooke and Joe Clugston
11 février , 2021
20 years ago our families moved onto Lloyd st. within weeks of each other. Next door neighbours became friends, and then family.
Bon fires and BBQ’s, backyards and back decks, great dinners and delicious desserts, glasses of wine and countless chats over the fence.
Your cheery smile, witty remarks and infectious laugh will be sorely missed and fondly remembered.
We’ll continue these traditions with your family with you always in our hearts and our conversations.
Rest Peacefully dear friend. We love you.
Jeff, Cindy, Brooke & Joe Clugston
Fanny Griffin-Nolte
11 février , 2021
Michael, Vanessa, and Kristen,
I have many memories of Aunt Donna, the most meaningful of which involve my children. Maggie and Violet were always so excited to get to see Aunt Donna and Uncle Mike when we would come for a visit. They loved running around in the backyard, looking for frogs in the pond, and nibbling on whatever delicious offerings Donna had generously prepared for us.
Donna's strength of character, sense of humour, and thoughtfulness will always remain front and centre for me, and are qualities she shared with her sister Wendy.
We share in your grief and heartbreak, but also in keeping those cherished memories alive in our hearts to sustain us.
Much love,
Fanny
Candice Hanna
11 février , 2021
I am truly sorry for your loss.
Susan Griffin
11 février , 2021
Our relationship to Donna is through her nephew, Matthew who is our son-in-law. Outside of seeing her occasionally at family events, I never knew what a rich, contributing life she led.
There is a photo on my daughter's fridge of all the beautiful Patrick women gathered together. That is how I will remember Donna.
My condolences, Michael, Vanessa and Kirsten.
Susan Griffin
Raymond & Jackie (Rose) Hibberd
11 février , 2021
Dear Michael, Vanessa, Kristen and family,
Jackie and I had the pleasure of meeting Donna at a family get together and then again at the wedding of her daughter Vanessa to my son, Joel, in September 2019. Donna welcomed us into her family with warmth, kindness and humour. We only need think of our cherished daughter-in-law, Vanessa, to see everything good that Donna has given to us all.
Ann Frohman
11 février , 2021
Dear Michael, Vanessa, Kristen and family,
Donna's vibrant spirit and wit were evident from the first time we met several years ago. Her easy rapport and willingness to find humour in a situation was uplifting. I recall some conversations we shared and her light-hearted, yet forthright approach set the tone for how she lived the past few years.
Donna was a lady who was beautiful, classy, and kind.
Love and light always,
Ann
Matthew Windsor
10 février , 2021
I'll always smile when I think of the way you handled the call from a manager at Footlocker. I had applied for a job there that day and, with little to no work experience, put you down as a reference (unbeknownst to you). When he called you minutes after my interview I thought I was toast. You didn’t miss a beat though. Your quick wit kicked into high gear, you wowed him tails of how I assisted you in the kitchen and sung my praises. Needless to say, I got the job, and the manager pointed out how far your reference went. He never heard about the tongue lashing I got from you after though!!
We miss you so much aunt Donna, you’ll always be in our hearts
Vilma Iafrate
10 février , 2021
Dear Michael and family, my deepest condolences for your loss. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.
Vilma
Santo Gradanti
10 février , 2021
I had the honor of styling Donna's hair the day of her daughter's wedding. I could tell that she had style, class, and a strong will. Although my time with her was brief, it was clear to me how much she loved her family, friends, and life.
Our sincerest condolences to the Family! Know that you are in our hearts and our thoughts. It was an honour and a pleasure to have known Donna. Rest in sweet peace.
Santo (Miguel)
George & Lynda McGowan
10 février , 2021
Rest peacefully, our dear friend. We will miss your friendship, your sense of humour, your kindness, and so much more. Thank you for being such a kind friend all these years. You will always live in our hearts.
Ana Soares
10 février , 2021
My deepest sympathy to Mr. Michael Rankin and his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this most difficult time. Take comfort in knowing that we will all be reunited with our loved ones again.
Ana Soares
DE LA FAMILLE
DE LA FAMILLE
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