Donna Marie Rees

REES, Donna Marie
1937 - July 9, 2025
Donna was born in Ponoka, Alberta in January 1937. Raised in Edmonton, she spent her summers swimming and her winters ice-skating, with trips to the library yearlong. While working at Ash Temple Dental Supplies, she met her husband John in a "meet-cute" worthy of the movies, and together they built a marriage that lasted 62 years. In 1965 the family moved to Victoria, BC, where they raised their children. Throughout her life Donna enjoyed the opportunity to work in a variety of careers - from hair show model to legislative clerk assistant, from Woodwards clothing buyer to BC Consumer Affairs employee, with her favourite job being her time as a real estate agent. A lover of travel, she and John had many wonderful trips around the world, with no spot so close to her heart as Weirs Beach, where they spent summers fishing with family and friends.
Predeceased by her husband John, she leaves behind her children Roland (Rita), Murray (Beth), Laura (Tim), and Gord (Kate), grandchildren Rob, Roger, Cayleigh (Irah), Jordan, Megan, and Jane, and great-grandchildren Cyrus, Theo, and Izzy - as well as countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She loved dogs, made perfect pie crust, kept rooster figurines throughout her kitchen. She had the courage of her convictions, the internal fire and strength of mind to buoy her over all obstacles. Her advice, offered over a meal around the wood table, was always to travel, to see new places, meet new people, learn new things, and in doing so to expand beyond one's limits. With the pursuit of freedom in her soul, she stared down the open stretch of highway and asked, "Where to next?"
A surprise reunion of cousins in a Scottish pub. A big red dog. Salmon on the line. A house with doors always open, ready to welcome all. Mother, Grandmother, Friend, Donna, loving and loved - you never truly lost your memories; you gifted them to us all. We love you. We love you. We love you.
A private family service will be held at a later time. Donations in her memory can be made to a charity of your choice.