December 5, 1961 - April 24, 2024
Donna-Rae passed away peacefully from complications of MS with her husband of forty years, John, by her side. Besides John, she leaves to mourn her daughter Lisa (Stefan Nickerson) and four grandchildren, Jordyn, Taylee, Finn, and Leo. She will also be deeply missed by her mother Betty (John Forster), brother Barry (Lorna), and many friends and relatives.
Donna-Rae was born in Roseau Minnesota and lived in Piney Manitoba for the first six months until her Dad was transferred to Carman to supervise the hydro district there. She enjoyed school in Carman and often talked of great times with her school friends as well as singing in the United Church choir in Graysville. She worked at Manitoba Hydro's office in Winnipeg for a short time after graduating but it wasn't long before small town life called her back to Carman.
There she worked at Beaver lumber and Carman Co-op, met the love of her life, John, and moved out to the farm near Barnsley. Lisa was born a few years later and life was good. Donna-Rae had a passion for art and loved to paint and sketch, as well as spending time beautifying the yard. She also loved books, and was able to fulfill her dream of getting her Bachelor of Education by driving into the University of Manitoba for a few years. She was fortunate to get a job teaching at Carman Collegiate and her passion for teaching and the students was equal to John's passion for farming. She loved it! But MS had appeared in her life shortly after Lisa was born and it would change her life forever. It progressed to the point where she was unable to keep teaching, and slowly took away her ability to paint and sketch. She never surrendered, and we were able to enjoy many camping trips to the Whiteshell and campgrounds throughout Minnesota. Later, she and John enjoyed traveling to Florida, California, and many trips to Mexico with friends and family. Donna-Rae loved the ocean and the sound of the waves soothed her soul. Even though she was robbed of so much, including the ability to pick up her young grandchildren whom she loved dearly, she seldom complained. She had an inner bitterness to MS but she seldom showed it, and faced her challenges with dignity and grace. It made caring for her very easy.
She may not have got everything she wanted out of life, but she loved what she had and was grateful for it.
Death is not an ending but a symbol of movement along the path upon which we are all traveling. As painful as it is to lose your physical presence Donna-Rae, your spirit can never be lost and lives on in all who knew you. Rest in Peace Love.
A private celebration of Donna-Rae's life will be held at a later date.
If you wish, donations may be made to Carman Palliative Care.