October 18, 2024
In loving memory ~
Donna Jeanne Gilbert (nee Edkins) passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on October 18, 2024. She was surrounded by her family in the beautiful Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Hospice in Kamloops, B.C. She was born in Quesnel in 1932 and lived there until age 89 when she bravely moved to Kamloops to be closer to her family. She had 3 wonderful years of independent living at Berwick on the Park Residence, making new friends, playing bridge and word games, enjoying music concerts, and living life to the fullest.
Mum led a full life. She loved her family, her church, her friends, her garden, curling, bridge, games, and puzzles. She was an elementary teacher in Quesnel and area and many students still contact her to this day. As children, we remember her service to many local community groups and charities. She was a vocal resistance to racism and bigotry at a time when this was not the norm. She was not afraid to voice an opinion.
Mum was determined to live to her 92nd birthday and she did! She left us as she lived her life, with quiet determination, a good sense of humor and her warm smile. We treasure the time we were able to spend with her over her final few weeks.
A simple obituary cannot fully encapsulate Mum's life, but these simple lines serve as a tribute to a woman who was greatly loved and will be sorely missed.
She was predeceased by her husband Art, her parents Charles and Chelta Edkins, and four of her beloved sisters (Vivian Jones, Leone Freeman, Doris Muir and Sheila Brown). She leaves to mourn, her daughters Lindsay (Brent) & Allison; her grandsons Mitchell, Duncan (Brianna); her sister Shirley Hopkin, and her sisters-in-law Joan Hughes and Eileen Seale. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and dear friend Erme. The love of her family and friends was so important to her.
My sister and I would like to thank the family of Berwick on the Park, and the dedicated and caring staff at MWS Memorial Hospice (Kamloops).
A service of remembrance will be planned for the spring of 2025 in Quesnel.