Donna Delta Qween Ries

7 January 2011 (Authored by Donna's son, Gerry Donaldson)

* This is the spelling of Donna's name on her birth certificate: "Qween"

Donna was born 6 June 1918 in Botha, Alberta, educated and lived most of her life in Calgary but for twenty years in Vancouver where she lived the happiest years of her life with Johnny Bespflug. Donna was the eldest of three siblings, predeceased were her brother Rodey Ackerman and sister Rita Lyness. She is survived by her one son, Gerald Donaldson, two grandsons, Norman Donaldson and Gordon Donaldson, and daughter-in-law Sheila Donaldson. Donna had the sharpest sense of humour, always making jokes about where she was and what was going on around her. Grandsons Norman and Gordon as preschoolers were often captivated by her life lesson stories. She taught about life and living with little parables that captured a child's imagination. Donna loved and was devoted to the men of her life, Edward Harty (father of Gerald), Barry Donaldson, Alfred Ries, and the love of her life Johnny Bespflug. Donna lived a simple life valuing each moment as though it were the only moment of life. She always found something to laugh about. She never once found fault in or blame of another human being. She simply took everyone to be a good and caring person. And she was never disappointed. Donna's greatest gift to her son and those who knew her was that she refused to believe that others could do wrong. It just wasn't part of her thinking. Never in six decades did her son hear a criticism of another from her. It was her greatest legacy. The last decade of her life was spent in Eau Claire Retirement Residence in downtown Calgary, literally within blocks of where Donna grew up and attended McDougall School, the school which her son also later attended. She literally and figuratively had come home in her final years. There she was lovingly cared for each day, ate well and often chided staff with her infectious humour. Donna is gone now and so are her memories of her life, but the fun and happiness of her life have left a long and indelible impact upon all who were fortunate to have been graced by her life, her love, her sacrifices, her presence, her wit and, most importantly, her wondrous humour. Donna died in a room in the Agape Hospice run by the Salvation Army, in a room as bright as was her life, full of light and warmth as the noon's sun shone upon the outdoor's glistening snow. Donna was loved. Donna was important. Donna was unique! Donna breathed her last breath on Thursday evening, the sixth of January, 2011. She was 92.

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