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BORN
June 16, 1928
DIED
December 18, 2024
Donna Schmid Obituary
Our loving mom, grandma, and great grandma, Donna Schmid, passed away peacefully on December 18 with family around her.
Donna was born on June 16, 1928, to James Coleman and Elizabeth Davies (nee Howat) in Grants Pass, Oregon. The young family moved to Oregon, but it turned out to be short-lived, and they moved back to northern Saskatchewan when Donna was under a year old. She shared many fond memories of her growing up years in rural Saskatchewan.
After high school Donna graduated from business college in Prince Albert and enjoyed her work at the Prince Albert Daily Herald and then CKBI radio station. In 1952 she traveled to Vancouver to visit her sister. Donna liked Vancouver, found work and made friends. What was planned as a temporary move turned into a permanent one when she met her future husband, Walter Schmid, whom she married in 1953.
She moved to Victoria in 2000, a move she and Walt were planning to make together at the time of his death in 1999. True to her character, she involved herself fully in her new community and forged lasting friendships.
Donna had an adventurous spirit and took part in a wide variety of activities over the years. She and Walt loved to travel and made many trips with their children David and Laura, and on their own. Donna continued to travel after Walt's passing to many places near and far.
Family was important to Donna. She was a loving mother and was always delighted to spend time with her grandchildren. She faithfully attended sporting events and artistic performances and took her children and grandchildren on many fun outings.
She enjoyed people and kept in touch with her ever expanding circle of friends of all ages, even as her health declined. She loved to spend time with others, and could make interesting and lively conversation with anyone, whether she had known them for years, or she had just met them. Her interest was genuine; she asked questions and would often inquire about details people had shared with her previously.
Donna will be lovingly remembered by her children David Schmid (Jacqueline) and Laura Cochrane (Gord), grandchildren Kyle, Nicholas (Nicky), Caitlin (Matt), Holly (Braeden), and Eric (Kaitlin), four great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law Gordon Hubbard and Ernie Schmid (Bonnie), sister-in-law Barb Mayes, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Walt, her sisters Sylvia Reeves, Coleen Stefanski, and Sunni June Hubbard, her sisters-in-law Nancy Schmid and Doreen Titus, and brothers-in-law Reg Titus and Robert Schmid.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 11:30am at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3787 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, followed by a reception.
We wish to thank Dr. Peter Houghton, Amica on the Gorge staff, and Dr. Kevin Wade for the care and support they provided to our mom.
Donations in Donna's memory may be made to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen, or Variety - the Children's Charity of BC.
Donna was born on June 16, 1928, to James Coleman and Elizabeth Davies (nee Howat) in Grants Pass, Oregon. The young family moved to Oregon, but it turned out to be short-lived, and they moved back to northern Saskatchewan when Donna was under a year old. She shared many fond memories of her growing up years in rural Saskatchewan.
After high school Donna graduated from business college in Prince Albert and enjoyed her work at the Prince Albert Daily Herald and then CKBI radio station. In 1952 she traveled to Vancouver to visit her sister. Donna liked Vancouver, found work and made friends. What was planned as a temporary move turned into a permanent one when she met her future husband, Walter Schmid, whom she married in 1953.
She moved to Victoria in 2000, a move she and Walt were planning to make together at the time of his death in 1999. True to her character, she involved herself fully in her new community and forged lasting friendships.
Donna had an adventurous spirit and took part in a wide variety of activities over the years. She and Walt loved to travel and made many trips with their children David and Laura, and on their own. Donna continued to travel after Walt's passing to many places near and far.
Family was important to Donna. She was a loving mother and was always delighted to spend time with her grandchildren. She faithfully attended sporting events and artistic performances and took her children and grandchildren on many fun outings.
She enjoyed people and kept in touch with her ever expanding circle of friends of all ages, even as her health declined. She loved to spend time with others, and could make interesting and lively conversation with anyone, whether she had known them for years, or she had just met them. Her interest was genuine; she asked questions and would often inquire about details people had shared with her previously.
Donna will be lovingly remembered by her children David Schmid (Jacqueline) and Laura Cochrane (Gord), grandchildren Kyle, Nicholas (Nicky), Caitlin (Matt), Holly (Braeden), and Eric (Kaitlin), four great-grandchildren, brothers-in-law Gordon Hubbard and Ernie Schmid (Bonnie), sister-in-law Barb Mayes, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Walt, her sisters Sylvia Reeves, Coleen Stefanski, and Sunni June Hubbard, her sisters-in-law Nancy Schmid and Doreen Titus, and brothers-in-law Reg Titus and Robert Schmid.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 11:30am at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3787 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, followed by a reception.
We wish to thank Dr. Peter Houghton, Amica on the Gorge staff, and Dr. Kevin Wade for the care and support they provided to our mom.
Donations in Donna's memory may be made to the Shelbourne Community Kitchen, or Variety - the Children's Charity of BC.
Published by The Times Colonist from Jan. 28 to Jan. 30, 2025.
Memories and Condolences
for Donna Schmid
1 Entry
Brenda Donaven (Leksen)
November 14, 2025
I'm sorry to hear of your loss.
Donna (Mrs Schmid as I knew her from such a young age), was a very special lady.
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