Donna Lorraine Coles (nee: McRitchie) of Chilliwack passed away peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2006, at the Chilliwack General Hospital following a heart attack. She was born in Saint John, New Brunswick on February 23, 1933.
Donna will be sadly missed by her daughter, Pam (Bill) Roseboom; her son, Tom (Cindy) Coles; grandchildren, Robert (Julie) Roseboom, Laura (Tom) Liebe, Steven (Heather) Roseboom, Brittany Coles, Matthew Coles, Meredith Coles; and great-grandchildren, Jenna and Jessica Liebe, Dylan and Erica Roseboom, and Braxton Vermeer. Also left to mourn her passing are her siblings, Len McRitchie, Shirley Kuntz, Pat Spallin, Bill McRitchie, and numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband, John Coles, and her parents, Len and Ruth McRitchie, predeceased her.
Donna’s early years were spent in the Maritimes, an area she loved very much. As the wife of a military man, she was privileged to live in many areas of Canada. A few years were also spent living in Germany, which allowed for travels through parts of Europe. After John’s retirement, she spent many years in the retail industry, most notably working in jewellery and gift stores. After her own retirement she enjoyed numerous bus tours as well as cruises to Mexico and Alaska.
Donna was an active member of First Greendale Mennonite Church, 42369 South Sumas Road. A memorial service will be held there, at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 25, 2006. Pastor George Hoeppner will officiate the service of remembrance, which will be followed by a luncheon.
Donna’s honourary bearers will be her son, grandsons, and her brothers.
As the ocean meant so much to her, Donna’s ashes will be scattered on the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, later this year.
A sincere thank-you is extended to the attending paramedics and staff at Chilliwack General Hospital for their kind compassion towards Donna and the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family would gratefully appreciate dona– tions in Donna’s memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC or other charities.