We gather here to share our stories, to remember with joy, sadness, and gratitude the presence of a woman who was so easy to love. Though we mourn her death, we move forward through this grief in faith assured that she is enjoying the fullness of life that is her gift of living love while with us.
Wilma remembers...
Donna was always a happy little girl. As she grew up she became more important in our lives, she always made sure to keep in touch and came to see us as much as she could. Last Christmas when we were shut in because of the flu breakout, she made sure she came and had Christmas with me in my suite. I love her very much. I spent weekends with them that were very joyful. Donna will never be forgotten .... All my Love Mom
Jennifer remembers...
So many memories of Aunt Donna……
As a kid I loved hearing the story of her and Uncle Joe’s wedding day, the nasty weather, how they made the best of the day, how I was a brat and pounded on the piano, insisted on sitting on Uncle Joe’s knee at the head table and then I finally passed out on the stage while the party went on.
In Lafleche our family lived in the ‘blue’ house, the Martineau’s lived down the back alley in the ‘pink’ house. My mom and Donna had many coffee sessions. Jodi & Joleine were the best of friends during these sessions and the worst of enemies also. I remember Jodi & Joleine fighting and then upset that it was time to go home. Both my Mom and Donna would get so frustrated with them. lol
I also remember Aunt Donna the hair stylist. She had taken a community college hair cutting course and I was lucky enough for her to try the newest 70s “Shag Cut” on me. I wasn’t very old but I do remember the women (my mom & Donna) preparing me for the cut. My hair was combed into a large ponytail on top of my head and then cut off. When the elastic was released I was suppose to be “rockin” a beautiful new style. I remember there was some hesitation and talk as to whether this would really work or not. Funny how I can remember this and the looks on their faces when that elastic was release...and my mom consoling Aunt Donna as she cried tears...it didn’t quite turn out the way she envisioned. (I remember reassuring Donna a few years ago that I didn’t require therapy because of this so it couldn’t have been that bad. lol)
I remember Aunt Donna as the competitor in both baseball and curling. When I moved back to the area, I played some ball with her and I curled against her in Lafleche (and with her in a couple of bonspiels). She always played to win!
I will forever remember her great big smile & laugh, her love of her family, her excitement at becoming a grandma. I enjoyed seeing the happenings in her life on Facebook and having an occasional private chat, the most recent being while she was in Maui and ran into my mother in law.
With the loss of loved ones, I truly believe:
“Those we love never go away, even when they can’t be physically present. They walk beside us. Still loved, still missed and very dear.”
Shelly remembers...
As sisters we all have so many great memories of Donna. We were always a close family and she was always there helping out and doing her share. I will always remember our conversations, her love, smile, kindness and how happy she was to be a Grandma. In 2009 we started a Sisters Weekend that we would plan every September and take turns hosting it. Donna was the first one to host; I will always remember these weekends where we would reminisce, drink wine, and laugh and just have so much fun it just brought our bond of sisterhood even closer.
“Our Sister- In our Hearts Always”
Love you Donna!
So many memories of Aunt Donna……
As a kid I loved hearing the story of her and Uncle Joe’s wedding day, the nasty weather, how they made the best of the day, how I was a brat and pounded on the piano, insisted on sitting on Uncle Joe’s knee at the head table and then I finally passed out on the stage while the party went on.
In Lafleche our family lived in the ‘blue’ house, the Martineau’s lived down the back alley in the ‘pink’ house. My mom and Donna had many coffee sessions. Jodi & Joleine were the best of friends during these sessions and the worst of enemies also. I remember Jodi & Joleine fighting and then upset that it was time to go home. Both my Mom and Donna would get so frustrated with them. lol
I also remember Aunt Donna the hair stylist. She had taken a community college hair cutting course and I was lucky enough for her to try the newest 70s “Shag Cut” on me. I wasn’t very old but I do remember the women (my mom & Donna) preparing me for the cut. My hair was combed into a large ponytail on top of my head and then cut off. When the elastic was released I was suppose to be “rockin” a beautiful new style. I remember there was some hesitation and talk as to whether this would really work or not. Funny how I can remember this and the looks on their faces when that elastic was release...and my mom consoling Aunt Donna as she cried tears...it didn’t quite turn out the way she envisioned. (I remember reassuring Donna a few years ago that I didn’t require therapy because of this so it couldn’t have been that bad. lol)
I remember Aunt Donna as the competitor in both baseball and curling. When I moved back to the area, I played some ball with her and I curled against her in Lafleche (and with her in a couple of bonspiels). She always played to win!
I will forever remember her great big smile & laugh, her love of her family, her excitement at becoming a grandma. I enjoyed seeing the happenings in her life on Facebook and having an occasional private chat, the most recent being while she was in Maui and ran into my mother in law.
With the loss of loved ones, I truly believe:
“Those we love never go away, even when they can’t be physically present. They walk beside us. Still loved, still missed and very dear.”
Shelly remembers...
As sisters we all have so many great memories of Donna. We were always a close family and she was always there helping out and doing her share. I will always remember our conversations, her love, smile, kindness and how happy she was to be a Grandma. In 2009 we started a Sisters Weekend that we would plan every September and take turns hosting it. Donna was the first one to host; I will always remember these weekends where we would reminisce, drink wine, and laugh and just have so much fun it just brought our bond of sisterhood even closer.
“Our Sister- In our Hearts Always”
Love you Donna!
Sisters Weekend 2009
Sisters Weekend 2010
Sisters Weekend 2011
Sisters 2012
Sisters 2013
Sisters 2014
George V. remembers...
I remember going to Gus and Wilma's and Donna and Verlyn would always fool Steve and I as to "who was who" and if we had them figured out the two would go switch clothes and then Wilma would come along and say no you have it wrong, not realizing what the two girls had just done . I still get a laugh when I think of that.
I remember going to Gus and Wilma's and Donna and Verlyn would always fool Steve and I as to "who was who" and if we had them figured out the two would go switch clothes and then Wilma would come along and say no you have it wrong, not realizing what the two girls had just done . I still get a laugh when I think of that.
Les remembers...
It was my 40th Birthday and Joleine was living in Regina at the time and Donna was living in Lafleche and working at the TD bank. She had come to Regina for a convention. We didn’t know that she was in the city. Donna and Joleine showed up at our place for a visit. It was Les’s birthday and we had a bunch of people over and were sitting in the back yard.
Here comes Donna all happy and yells “SURPRISE “ - it was a surprise all right as she had just walked through the screen door into the back yard. We will never forget the look on her face, we still laugh about it.
It was my 40th Birthday and Joleine was living in Regina at the time and Donna was living in Lafleche and working at the TD bank. She had come to Regina for a convention. We didn’t know that she was in the city. Donna and Joleine showed up at our place for a visit. It was Les’s birthday and we had a bunch of people over and were sitting in the back yard.
Here comes Donna all happy and yells “SURPRISE “ - it was a surprise all right as she had just walked through the screen door into the back yard. We will never forget the look on her face, we still laugh about it.
Marilyn remembers:
As sisters we are all close. Our sister bond is strong and even though we live apart we reside in each other’s heart. We have celebrated many happy and sad times together and are always there for each other. Our sister weekends are always so special as we make it our sisters only together time in our busy lives as wives, mothers, grandmothers and career women. It’s time for fun, laughter, stories, catching up on each other’s lives, lots of food and good wine. Donna always made us smile and laugh with her actions, stories and unique gifts.
There are so many stories we could share. Here is a couple. Donna wanted to be the one to drive the truck out to the field and pick up Dad – well she could never find him and Dad would end up walking home while Donna was driving up and down the country roads.
When Joleine and Jodi were little and we both lived in Lafleche, Donna and I had coffee together nearly every day and talked about our hopes and dreams for the future. Donna insisted on giving me a perm one night but was devastated when one side of my head was curly and the other side was not! After a beer or two she decided it didn’t look so bad!! Lol We did fix it up the next day.
Beside the love and competitiveness of sports, Donna was an intense charade player including sound effects and got quite upset if her partner didn’t get it! We had so many laughs.
Donna was so excited about becoming a grandma and is so very proud of her grandchildren. She had lots of cute stories to share with us.
When Donna & Joe got their seasonal campsite, Donna was thrilled and looked so forward to being there. She said it was like being away on a holiday where she could relax and enjoy some good wine. I am so happy that Donna went on her dream vacation to Hawaii with Joe and celebrated their 40th anniversary in January.
I will miss the time spent together, the texts and the occasional face time.
Donna you will forever be in my heart. I love you.
Terry remembers...
I remember going to the farm and there would be Donna and Verlyn with scotch tape wrapped around their heads trying to straighten their hair. Donna was really proud of the matching dresses her and Verlyn made at school – believe me they weren’t that cute!! When I would be at the farm helping Gus, Donna would talk me into giving her a ride to see her friends. She would also point out that she had her GoGo boots on!
Where do they go to?
Where do they go to, the people who leave?
Are they around us, in the cool evening breeze?
Do they still hear us, and watch us each day?
I'd like you to think of them with us that way.
Where do they go to, when no longer here?
I think that they stay with us, calming our fear
Loving us always, holding our hands
Walking beside us, on grass or on sand.
Where do they go to, well it's my belief
They watch us and help us to cope with our grief
They comfort and stay with us, through each of our days
Guiding us always through life's mortal maze.
KevF - 21st August 2007
As sisters we are all close. Our sister bond is strong and even though we live apart we reside in each other’s heart. We have celebrated many happy and sad times together and are always there for each other. Our sister weekends are always so special as we make it our sisters only together time in our busy lives as wives, mothers, grandmothers and career women. It’s time for fun, laughter, stories, catching up on each other’s lives, lots of food and good wine. Donna always made us smile and laugh with her actions, stories and unique gifts.
There are so many stories we could share. Here is a couple. Donna wanted to be the one to drive the truck out to the field and pick up Dad – well she could never find him and Dad would end up walking home while Donna was driving up and down the country roads.
When Joleine and Jodi were little and we both lived in Lafleche, Donna and I had coffee together nearly every day and talked about our hopes and dreams for the future. Donna insisted on giving me a perm one night but was devastated when one side of my head was curly and the other side was not! After a beer or two she decided it didn’t look so bad!! Lol We did fix it up the next day.
Beside the love and competitiveness of sports, Donna was an intense charade player including sound effects and got quite upset if her partner didn’t get it! We had so many laughs.
Donna was so excited about becoming a grandma and is so very proud of her grandchildren. She had lots of cute stories to share with us.
When Donna & Joe got their seasonal campsite, Donna was thrilled and looked so forward to being there. She said it was like being away on a holiday where she could relax and enjoy some good wine. I am so happy that Donna went on her dream vacation to Hawaii with Joe and celebrated their 40th anniversary in January.
I will miss the time spent together, the texts and the occasional face time.
Donna you will forever be in my heart. I love you.
Terry remembers...
I remember going to the farm and there would be Donna and Verlyn with scotch tape wrapped around their heads trying to straighten their hair. Donna was really proud of the matching dresses her and Verlyn made at school – believe me they weren’t that cute!! When I would be at the farm helping Gus, Donna would talk me into giving her a ride to see her friends. She would also point out that she had her GoGo boots on!
Where do they go to?
Where do they go to, the people who leave?
Are they around us, in the cool evening breeze?
Do they still hear us, and watch us each day?
I'd like you to think of them with us that way.
Where do they go to, when no longer here?
I think that they stay with us, calming our fear
Loving us always, holding our hands
Walking beside us, on grass or on sand.
Where do they go to, well it's my belief
They watch us and help us to cope with our grief
They comfort and stay with us, through each of our days
Guiding us always through life's mortal maze.
KevF - 21st August 2007
Adam remembers...
I have lived in Lafleche most of my life, as did Donna, Joe and their family. We had many get togethers. It is uncanny how much Donna and my mother Verlyn look alike. When they were both still living in Lafleche they spent an awful lot of time together. I believe that they may have been not only sisters but best friends.
Once I graduated I took off and ended up in Medicine Hat. Donna and Joe had been there a couple years already. Being new to the Hat, I seemed to find myself with too much time on my hands and nothing to do, so I would stop in and see what the Martineaus were up too. The door was always open and a meal was always offered. I did stay for a meal or two until Joe messed things up by introducing turkey bacon to the house.
I was over visiting one day and Joleine was there as well talking about how she had to get going and get ready for a date. This was shortly after she had moved there as well. Donna and I had a good time giving her the gears and making her nervous for her date. After she had left I was telling Donna about this perogy pizza they make at Boston Pizza and how I couldn't find anyone to go try it with me. She said she was free and would love to go with me. Joe declined as I believe he may have had a prior engagement with Tino's. A couple friends called me up to see what I was doing and all I told them was I had a dinner date with a Hottie! Donna and I headed for Boston Pizza and found a place to sit. I look off to the left and there is Joleine on her date! I look at Donna and said uh-oh, you're in trouble now, she's going to think we're spying on her after all the tom foolery earlier. We giggled and had a wonderful meal. Donna was a wonderful lady and it didn't matter who you were or what you had, she cared about us all!
Larry remembers...
Donna was a dear friend and sister-in-law. She was a big part of our life. Her and the kids would stop for coffee whenever they had time and she came out once in her slippers and it was -30 out and I gave her heck telling her she would be in real trouble if the car quit, she just laughed.She curled with me whenever I needed an extra in a bonspiel or regular curling, she was an awesome player and very competitive. Every time she came she always remembered to tell me how much my darn pigs stunk, and almost threw Craig out once on the way home because he had been out in the barn with the boys.
Donna laughed when I told her that Adam came home after staying at their place and told me that he had stayed with the Mayor and First Lady. She would bake a carrot cake and invite us in for coffee so she didn't eat it all herself. After she moved to Medicine Hat , she would invite us up and if I was coming she would always make me a lemon pie.... Joe enjoyed it when I came along too, as he wasn't suppose to have it but she always gave in and gave him some too.
Donna you will be very missed around our house, the smile, the laughter and your sense of humor.
Jodi remembers...
My Aunt Donna (like most of my aunts) was like a second Mom to me. As most people know, the Vatamaniuck family is a close one!
Joleine and I being the same age, we grew up together. We fought to be together and fought to be apart. I have tons of memories of staying at their place in Lafleche. There was always an open invitation and a bed!
There are many times I know we drove her absolutely crazy! Staying out too late, pitching a tent in the backyard but ending up in the house, playing hide and seek in her closet, helping clean the church and bugging Craig and Cherisse to no end! She always had a smile, was genuinely interested in what was going on in your life and on occasion yelled at us because we totally deserved it!
I had a great childhood and thinking back has made me realize how grateful I am for so many memories and good times with my cousins and relatives.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Thank you Aunt Donna for being part of that village that raised me!
Verlyn remembers...
From the time we were little Donna & I were very close, we used to laugh and say almost like twins as we thought the same and knew what the other one was thinking, people used to get us mixed up all the time . Donna was not only my sister but my "BEST FRIEND".We would call and text and email each other all the time to discuss our kids, families, jobs and life.
We have always loved to shop together. We were just laughing a few weeks ago about a shopping trip to Assiniboia when our kids were small and Craig crawled up in the back window of their white car and when we got to Assiniboia he wouldn't get down, so we rolled the windows down and went into the store, when we came out he was down on the seat because it was hot....Donna said," today we would have been thrown in jail for that."
After she moved to Medicine Hat I would go there to shop instead of us going to Moose Jaw, Swift Current & Regina. Donna would always call ahead a few days to see what I was shopping for and then have the stores all lined up. On my last trip there in December, 2014 she was so proud of herself because we went to Fabricland and she picked out some fabric and I bought it...But she told me she wasn't going to start sewing. When I was shopping for clothes, boots, shoes or purses( we usually bought one) and she would see stuff she liked she would say' "I really don't need it." but came home with stuff too. I am going to miss these trips.
Donna got me into curling....I wasn't as serious as her and I always wondered why she kept asking me , especially after a bonspiel in Fir Mountain where I thought we had won and got down and knocked out all the rocks out of the house. Donna asked, "What are you doing?" What I didn't realize was that the other skip still had a rock. We always came home with a prize and even won the club playoffs in Lafleche one year curling with Cherisse & Kerri and surprised a lot of men's teams. Donna invited me to come to Medicine Hat ladies bonspiel to curl and we did that for a few years and had a blast. I would stop at Cookie Jacques and get costumes for us to wear to the banquets. We took in the Women's Worlds in Swift Current and both were deathly afraid of RATS so we would put a cracker on a suitcase before we would go to the rink and it if was touched we were heading home and leaving our stuff... Thank Goodness we didn't have too as we both had a great time.
Donna was an awesome pitcher and batter in soft ball, any who played against her will always remember that arm!
When I worked at Crop Insurance in Lafleche some of our customers would go to leave and say they were going to see my older sister at the bank and I would let them believe she was... I would always get a phone call giving me heck and to smarten up and tell the truth...I never did...
Sisters weekend was always a special time and even more so now as one will be missing. We would eat, drink wine, shop and laugh about the stupid things we did as kids. I am so happy we had those times.
Larry & I enjoyed many trips with the Martineaus, whether to Deadwood to gamble, around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or to a Chicago Black Hawks game. Chicago airport was fun as we tried to catch the Chicago goalie so Craig could get a picture with him. Curling bonspiels, Continental and Canada cups of curling, all were so much fun. Or when we would just go surprise them at their campsite. We have lots of awesome memories. Donna was always happy, laughing and smiling... she had a warm heart and was always there when I needed her, bringing food or just being here. We could stop at any hour and she would put the coffee on or give us a meal... Donna you will always be in my heart and I will never forget you, that grin, and your witty comments... I will remember the good times ....Rest in peace... until we meet again...I know you will have my DR Zen Zen ready!
I have lived in Lafleche most of my life, as did Donna, Joe and their family. We had many get togethers. It is uncanny how much Donna and my mother Verlyn look alike. When they were both still living in Lafleche they spent an awful lot of time together. I believe that they may have been not only sisters but best friends.
Once I graduated I took off and ended up in Medicine Hat. Donna and Joe had been there a couple years already. Being new to the Hat, I seemed to find myself with too much time on my hands and nothing to do, so I would stop in and see what the Martineaus were up too. The door was always open and a meal was always offered. I did stay for a meal or two until Joe messed things up by introducing turkey bacon to the house.
I was over visiting one day and Joleine was there as well talking about how she had to get going and get ready for a date. This was shortly after she had moved there as well. Donna and I had a good time giving her the gears and making her nervous for her date. After she had left I was telling Donna about this perogy pizza they make at Boston Pizza and how I couldn't find anyone to go try it with me. She said she was free and would love to go with me. Joe declined as I believe he may have had a prior engagement with Tino's. A couple friends called me up to see what I was doing and all I told them was I had a dinner date with a Hottie! Donna and I headed for Boston Pizza and found a place to sit. I look off to the left and there is Joleine on her date! I look at Donna and said uh-oh, you're in trouble now, she's going to think we're spying on her after all the tom foolery earlier. We giggled and had a wonderful meal. Donna was a wonderful lady and it didn't matter who you were or what you had, she cared about us all!
Larry remembers...
Donna was a dear friend and sister-in-law. She was a big part of our life. Her and the kids would stop for coffee whenever they had time and she came out once in her slippers and it was -30 out and I gave her heck telling her she would be in real trouble if the car quit, she just laughed.She curled with me whenever I needed an extra in a bonspiel or regular curling, she was an awesome player and very competitive. Every time she came she always remembered to tell me how much my darn pigs stunk, and almost threw Craig out once on the way home because he had been out in the barn with the boys.
Donna laughed when I told her that Adam came home after staying at their place and told me that he had stayed with the Mayor and First Lady. She would bake a carrot cake and invite us in for coffee so she didn't eat it all herself. After she moved to Medicine Hat , she would invite us up and if I was coming she would always make me a lemon pie.... Joe enjoyed it when I came along too, as he wasn't suppose to have it but she always gave in and gave him some too.
Donna you will be very missed around our house, the smile, the laughter and your sense of humor.
Jodi remembers...
My Aunt Donna (like most of my aunts) was like a second Mom to me. As most people know, the Vatamaniuck family is a close one!
Joleine and I being the same age, we grew up together. We fought to be together and fought to be apart. I have tons of memories of staying at their place in Lafleche. There was always an open invitation and a bed!
There are many times I know we drove her absolutely crazy! Staying out too late, pitching a tent in the backyard but ending up in the house, playing hide and seek in her closet, helping clean the church and bugging Craig and Cherisse to no end! She always had a smile, was genuinely interested in what was going on in your life and on occasion yelled at us because we totally deserved it!
I had a great childhood and thinking back has made me realize how grateful I am for so many memories and good times with my cousins and relatives.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Thank you Aunt Donna for being part of that village that raised me!
Verlyn remembers...
From the time we were little Donna & I were very close, we used to laugh and say almost like twins as we thought the same and knew what the other one was thinking, people used to get us mixed up all the time . Donna was not only my sister but my "BEST FRIEND".We would call and text and email each other all the time to discuss our kids, families, jobs and life.
We have always loved to shop together. We were just laughing a few weeks ago about a shopping trip to Assiniboia when our kids were small and Craig crawled up in the back window of their white car and when we got to Assiniboia he wouldn't get down, so we rolled the windows down and went into the store, when we came out he was down on the seat because it was hot....Donna said," today we would have been thrown in jail for that."
After she moved to Medicine Hat I would go there to shop instead of us going to Moose Jaw, Swift Current & Regina. Donna would always call ahead a few days to see what I was shopping for and then have the stores all lined up. On my last trip there in December, 2014 she was so proud of herself because we went to Fabricland and she picked out some fabric and I bought it...But she told me she wasn't going to start sewing. When I was shopping for clothes, boots, shoes or purses( we usually bought one) and she would see stuff she liked she would say' "I really don't need it." but came home with stuff too. I am going to miss these trips.
Donna got me into curling....I wasn't as serious as her and I always wondered why she kept asking me , especially after a bonspiel in Fir Mountain where I thought we had won and got down and knocked out all the rocks out of the house. Donna asked, "What are you doing?" What I didn't realize was that the other skip still had a rock. We always came home with a prize and even won the club playoffs in Lafleche one year curling with Cherisse & Kerri and surprised a lot of men's teams. Donna invited me to come to Medicine Hat ladies bonspiel to curl and we did that for a few years and had a blast. I would stop at Cookie Jacques and get costumes for us to wear to the banquets. We took in the Women's Worlds in Swift Current and both were deathly afraid of RATS so we would put a cracker on a suitcase before we would go to the rink and it if was touched we were heading home and leaving our stuff... Thank Goodness we didn't have too as we both had a great time.
Donna was an awesome pitcher and batter in soft ball, any who played against her will always remember that arm!
When I worked at Crop Insurance in Lafleche some of our customers would go to leave and say they were going to see my older sister at the bank and I would let them believe she was... I would always get a phone call giving me heck and to smarten up and tell the truth...I never did...
Sisters weekend was always a special time and even more so now as one will be missing. We would eat, drink wine, shop and laugh about the stupid things we did as kids. I am so happy we had those times.
Larry & I enjoyed many trips with the Martineaus, whether to Deadwood to gamble, around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or to a Chicago Black Hawks game. Chicago airport was fun as we tried to catch the Chicago goalie so Craig could get a picture with him. Curling bonspiels, Continental and Canada cups of curling, all were so much fun. Or when we would just go surprise them at their campsite. We have lots of awesome memories. Donna was always happy, laughing and smiling... she had a warm heart and was always there when I needed her, bringing food or just being here. We could stop at any hour and she would put the coffee on or give us a meal... Donna you will always be in my heart and I will never forget you, that grin, and your witty comments... I will remember the good times ....Rest in peace... until we meet again...I know you will have my DR Zen Zen ready!