Donna Jean Johnson (nee Butt), was born April 6, 1949, and her heart stopped suddenly on May 27, 2005. She was predeceased by her father Norman, and mother Doris (nee Shelton). Left to miss her are her loving husband Tom of Kamloops; son Geoff (Phyllis) Bowman of Vancouver, stepson Jaime (Caroline) and children, stepdaughter Stacia, and sisters Gloria (Mitchell) Mott and Glenda (Daniel) O’Brien and families.Donna grew up in Nakusp, and always kept her small town roots and treasured her Nakusp friendships. For more than thirty years she has lived in Kamloops where she, with Tom, widened their circle of friends. She left this world as she would have wished — with all her faculties intact and a large number of unfinished projects!
Not maternal by nature, Donna devoted her 20s and 30s to raising her son Geoff. She
hated both mornings and sports, but got him to 6:00 a.m. hockey practices (and wouldn’t you know that when he finally got his driver’s license, he quit!) Geoff made her proud, graduating from high school at 16, and university at 21.
Donna was generous (to a fault sometimes) kind and effusive. She genuinely cared about all those around her, and loved to anticipate the needs of others. Her insight, quick wit, humour and writing talents were manifested in both notes to friends, and letters to the editor. Her unique sense of style earned her a place in the hearts of nieces, nephews and grandchildren (she was “cool!”) Nothing was exempt from her creative spirit, be it her home, her car, Noris place, or the lions at the end of the driveway - and she pretty much kept the paint stores in business (purple, turquoise, hot pink…)
A day didn’t go by that she didn’t help someone. She certainly looked after Tom to the point of reminding him to send phone cards, bus tickets, and sometimes money to his ex-wife! During their 16 year marriage, she and Tom forged a great relationship — talking, telling stories, listening to the old songs, laughing, and hugging. They were so thankful for their health, friends and lifestyle.
One of Donna’s favourite sayings was, “Life is short — buy the shoes.” And she did… tall ones, short ones, pink ones, red ones, sandals with flashing lights - anything but ‘normal’ones. She also bought sunglasses, teddy bears, beanie babies and other collectibles. She traced family tree lines back to the 1600s, phoned friends family or her Aunty Mimi daily, and organized family and school reunions. Her life was full, wonderful and too short.
As per her instructions, a “Garden Party” was held at her home at 2248 Tranquille Rd., on Saturday, June 4 at 3:00 p.m - a final reunion for all those whose lives she touched, and a way of letting friends and family know how much she cared about them.
Donations in Donna’s memory to the Kamloops Hospice Association, 72 South Whiteshield Cres., Kamloops V2E 2S9, or Big Brothers and Sisters, 821 Seymour St., Kamloops BC V2C 2H6, would be appreciated by the family in lieu of flowers.
Kamloops Funeral Home 554-2577
Condolences may be emailed to: kfhome@telus.net