The Sobala family is sad to announce the passing of Donna Andrews, on her 85th birthday, at the Northcrest Seniors Community in Delta BC.

Born at home in Lakeview Ontario, Donna was the eighth of nine siblings. She was only twelve when her mother died; two years later her father said she would have to get a job after grade nine and pay rent. A babysitting job for a neighbor turned into a lifelong friendship with Dr Charles (Bud) Ridley and his family. This allowed her to finish highschool and follow the example of Mrs. Ridley to study nursing with the full support of the Ridleys.

Upon completing her studies, a nursing shortage in Southern California led to Donna packing up a carload of her nursing friends and heading to the coast. Donna enjoyed being a nurse, taking care of patients and being helpful. This quality was demonstrated later when she studied nutrition and volunteered in Guatemala with the Peace Corp to work as a nutritionist. Donna was very creative and would have liked to have been an artist full-time. She never owned a television, but spent her free time learning painting, weaving, photography and pottery. Her nieces and nephews were the happy recipients of her woven scarves and shawls.

Donna is survived by her sister Jean (Gord) and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Andrew and Eva Sobala, and siblings Teresa (Bernie), Marion, Edward (June), Mary (Wilfred), Casey (Stella), Walter (Beverly) and Teddy. A special thanks goes to the wonderful staff at Northcrest who provided wonderful care for Donna during the challenging years of COVID. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a future date.

“you got gold, gold inside of you, well I got some, gold inside me too.” John Prine