Donna Louise Ritchie

February 8, 2013

Wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away in Red Deer Hospital, Friday, February 8, 2013 surrounded by family.

Lovingly remembered by her husband, William (Bill) Ritchie; sons, Victor (Debbie) Ritchie, of Cranbrook, BC, Steven (Arlene) Ritchie, of Winnipeg, MB; daughters, Elaine (Terry) Welland, of Carstairs, AB and Sandra (Gord) Mellor, of Spruce Gove, AB.

Donna is also lovingly remembered by her sister, Eleanor Forsythe, of Alexandria VA and her nieces Caroline and Sharon and their families as well as many cousins and friends.

Donna was able to enjoy time with her eleven grandchildren, Sara (Jean), Daniel and Katie, Laura and Matthew, Rheanna and Mitchell, Kyle, Adam (Celia), Nicholas and Alanah.

Mom enjoyed her summers at the cottage at Victoria Beach in Manitoba, which has been the family’s summer home since 1958. The cottage is a place where children, grandchildren and friends loved to come and spend relaxing times.

In 2001 Bill and Donna moved from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Carstairs, Alberta where they have spent winter months in the company of family and many new friends in the area.

Donna had a passion for music, played piano and sang in the choir at Rosedale United Church in Winnipeg from 1956 to 2001. She was a long time member of Sweet Adeline’s and after moving to Carstairs, sang with the Carstairs Drifters and in the Carstairs Bancroft United Church Choir.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Carstairs Bancroft United Church on Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation of Alberta, Suite 202, 1055 – 20th Ave, NW, Calgary AB, T2M 1E7 or the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, 3942 – 50A Ave, Red Deer AB, T4N 4E7.

Messages of Condolence

Our deepest sympathy to Bill and family. Donna was a kind and delightful neighbor to us at Victoria Beach. Our thoughts are with you Bill. Much love, Kelly and Sharon

- kelly sveinson

My sincere sympathy to Donna's family. She was a wonderful person and I thoroughly enjoyed our time spent singing with the Sweet Adelines in Winnipeg. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

- Shirley Christie

Uncle Bill and everyone, I was very sad to hear of Auntie Donna's passing. Big hugs to all of you in these sad times. Love, Mandy

- Mandy Wellnitz

Fond memories of reunions at the Yule farm Bell reunions and singing together in the choir at Rosedale United. My best to the family; it was a privilege to know Donna with her welcoming manner and warmth.

- Jean Botterill (Crookshanks cousin)

Bill, my sincere sympathy on Donna's passing. Vic, Steven, Elaine and Sandra, I was sad when I read about your Mom's passing in the Winnipeg Free Press. I hope that you are comforted by the many good memories that I am sure that you have of your Mom. Some of my recent memories of your Mom were conversations that I had with her over the last few summers at VB. Even though she wasn't as mobile as she used to be, I found that she continued to be welcoming and I enjoyed her sense of humour.

- Michael Kerr

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