Tribute

We are so very sad to announce the passing of our dear, beautiful, much beloved sister, aunt, great aunt, cousin and friend, Donna Catherine Salby. Donna left us on Monday, July 15, 2019.

Donna was very grateful to have access to the MAiD Program. We thank them so much for their kind and compassionate care.

Donna was born on July 26th, 1946 in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Ann and Richard Salby. She was raised with her older sister, Patricia, in the Elmwood area of Winnipeg. After returning from a family vacation, she contracted polio in 1953 leaving her confined to a wheelchair. Her remarkable parents, sister and extended family fought to make sure that she had good medical care, that she was included in as much as possible, and that she was well loved.

Donna graduated with a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg with a major in Anthropology. She subsequently worked for the Government of Manitoba retiring in 1996. She and husband, Ron, decided that year that enough was enough with the cold weather in Winnipeg and moved to join Patricia and her family in Nelson. They settled in Bonaventura Mobile Home Park on Lower Six Mile Road. There they lived happily with their beloved Bobbi dog. Sadly Ron passed away in 2003. With the help of family, friends, some wonderful neighbours and Home Support workers, Donna was able live independently in Bonaventura until 2018. She spent this past year in Nelson with her sister Patricia, niece Catherine and one miserable cat, Squirrelly. Donna considered her last year on Falls Street a unique gift. So much love, caring and lots of laughter.

Donna was funny, kind, beautiful, graceful and loved by so many people. We all loved to be in her company. The struggle of everyday living made her extremely calm and patient with people and her candid conversations and genuine kindness and interest drew people to her. Fortunately for many of us there was time this past week to say goodbye and tell her how we felt about her. Lots of tears but at the same time lots of laughs.

Donna was predeceased by her parents Richard and Ann, her husband, Ronald Jeppesen and brother-in-law Ralph Hansen. She is survived by her sister, Patricia, nieces Catherine and Susan Hansen, nephews Dennis and Doug (Rebecca) Hansen, great-niece Jordan (Calum) and great-nephews Taylor, Jack and Charlie. There will be no service by her request. Donations can made to the Nelson SPCA.

We would like to thank our cousin Marilyn for her loving support and help over this past week. Also, our love and thanks to our family for coming to Nelson for Donna’s final journey. Thanks also to neighbours, Glenda, Larry and Sarah for all their help and support over the past year. Thank you to everyone for supporting us through this difficult but ultimately wonderful week of love and reminiscing and, of course, laughter. She was so pleased with all your kind words.

Well, everyone, to Donna this writing would be too long and wordy. She wanted to keep things simple. So simply put, dearest Donna, we love you so much and will miss you forever. We hope that somewhere maybe, just maybe, you can get up and run.

Safe journey, Donnie!