DONNA ILENE DICKSON (McDONALD)

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DICKSON, Donna Ilene (nee McDonald) passed away on January 16, 2022, at the age of 81. She is survived by her husband of 58 years Ian, sons, Scott, Eric (Kelly), and Tim (Amanda), grandchildren, Ian and Jaryd, step grandchildren, Grace, Noah and Anna, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews. Donna was born in Elkhorn, MB on May 5, 1940, to parents Robert and Jessie McDonald. She was the middle child and was pre-deceased by her parents, sister Norma, brothers Wayne and Eldon and survived by her youngest brother Jim. Mom was raised in Crystal City where she completed her schooling and achieved scholarships that allowed her to attend Brandon College in 1957. It was here where she met Ian, the "blond bomber from Brookdale." Life took mom and dad in different directions after dad's graduation in 1958. Mom graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1960 and by 1962 they had reunited in Winnipeg and they were married on June 15, 1963, in McDonald family home backyard in Winnipeg. Now with Scott in the mix they headed south to Utah where Ian completed his PHD. Mom spent time caring for Scott and supporting the family while Ian was in school. They headed back to Canada in 1968, with Scott and Eric and settled in Winnipeg. After Tim was born in 1971, Ian and Donna embarked on the adventure of relocating to Bangkok, Thailand in 1974. Ian left for Asia early and Donna and the three boys headed on the great journey to Bangkok. The time in Thailand gave mom and the family exposure to new cultures, friendships and unforgettable memories. Donna spent time getting kids to schools, adjusting to a new life and volunteering with child refugees from Vietnam as the war raged on in the area. The family returned home in 1975 and mom set her sights on adding to her education by returning to university. Upon completion of her Bachelor of Social Work degree, she found her niche in life with Child and Family Services. Mom loved her work in this area which started in child placement and advocacy and ended with contributions to the Child Adoption Registry legislation which she was extremely proud to be a part of. Mom was always very involved in her boys' activities and volunteered with many associations that they participated in. The Kirkfield Westwood Community Centre, Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band, junior golf programs at Blumberg Golf Course, to name a few. Mom's involvement with the Manitoba Water Polo Association, that Tim was a player in, brought a new family member in Wing. Mom and Dad offered to help the new provincial water polo coach, Wing Wong, settle in Winnipeg. Wing, a Chinese national player had accepted the job and mom opened our house and family to Wing. Wing became an instant member of our family. Mom and Dad helped Wing adapt and eventually bring his wife Leah and son Michael to Canada. My mother was so happy and proud to have Wing and his family be a part of her family. Mom was an avid reader and Bridge player. These two activities filled in most of her available time. Her other love was the cabin at Clear Lake. She spent lots of summers when the boys were young and weekends when she was working, enjoying time at the lake. Cook shack meals and party's, great friends and happy hours watching the sun set over the lake made her most happy. She had lots of great times golfing with friends when she was able, milestone events, weddings and gatherings that made such a great impact on her life. In the early nineties mom was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This disease impacted mom's later years immensely. She endured great levels of pain and treatments that made her life much harder to enjoy. She managed as best she could and did get to enjoy the things that made her happy for some time. Mom was a fighter. She and dad rolled with the punches and adapted to many things over the years. Mom's illness made her ability to fight much harder as it progressed, but she continued to be the organizer and commander until the end. Just prior to her passing, she was preparing for her and dad to move back to Brandon to get some more assistance in their lives. She unfortunately passed the week prior to their move but true to her ways, everything was planned and ready to go. We will miss that spirit, but we will always have the memories of her love, guidance and caring for us all. A gathering to remember and celebrate mom's life was held at the Breezy Bend Country Club on May 6th. Thank you to all that attended and shared time and memories with Dad and us all.
Publish Date: May 14, 2022

DONNA ILENE DICKSON

Donna Ilene Dickson (nee McDonald) passed away on January 16, 2022, at the age of 81.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ian, sons, Scott, Eric (Kelly), and Tim (Amanda), grandchildren, Ian and Jaryd, step-grandchildren, Grace, Noah and Anna, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Donna was born in Elkhorn, MB on May 5, 1940, to parents Robert and Jessie McDonald. She was the middle child and was predeceased by her parents, sister Norma, brothers, Wayne and Eldon and survived by her youngest brother Jim. Mom was raised in Crystal City where she completed her schooling and achieved scholarships that allowed her to attend Brandon College in 1957.
It was here where she met Ian the "blond bomber from Brookdale." Life took Mom and Dad in different directions after Dad's graduation in 1958. Mom graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1960 and by 1962 they had reunited in Winnipeg and they were married on June 15, 1963, in McDonald family home backyard in Winnipeg. Now with Scott in the mix they headed south to Utah where Ian completed his PHD. Mom spent time caring for Scott and supporting the family while Ian was in school.
They headed back to Canada in 1968 with Scott and Eric and settled in Winnipeg. After Tim was born in 1971, Ian and Donna embarked on the adventure of relocating to Bangkok, Thailand in 1974. Ian left for Asia early and Donna and the three boys headed on the great journey to Bangkok. The time in Thailand gave Mom and the family exposure to new cultures, friendships and unforgettable memories. Donna spent time getting kids to schools, adjusting to a new life and volunteering with child refugees from Vietnam as the war raged on in the area. The family returned home in 1975 and Mom set her sights on adding to her education by returning to university.
Upon completion of her Bachelor of Social Work degree, she found her niche in life with Child and Family Services. Mom loved her work in this area which started in child placement and advocacy and ended with contributions to the Child Adoption Registry legislation which she was extremely proud to be a part of.
Mom was always very involved in her boys' activities and volunteered with many associations that they participated in: the Kirkfield Westwood Community Centre, Lord Selkirk Boy Scout Pipe Band, junior golf programs at Blumberg Golf Course, to name a few. Mom's involvement with the Manitoba Water Polo Association, that Tim was a player in, brought a new family member in Wing. Mom and Dad offered to help the new provincial water polo coach, Wing Wong, settle in Winnipeg. Wing, a Chinese national player had accepted the job and Mom opened our house and family to Wing. Wing became an instant member of our family. Mom and Dad helped Wing adapt and eventually bring his wife Leah and son Michael to Canada. My mother was so happy and proud to have Wing and his family be a part of her family.
Mom was an avid reader and Bridge player. These two activities filled in most of her available time. Her other love was the cabin at Clear Lake. She spent lots of summers when the boys were young and weekends when she was working, enjoying time at the lake. Cook shack meals and parties, great friends and happy hours watching the sun set over the lake made her most happy. She had lots of great times golfing with friends when she was able, milestone events, weddings and gatherings that made such a great impact on her life.
In the early 1990s Mom was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This disease impacted Mom's later years immensely. She endured great levels of pain and treatments that made her life much harder to enjoy. She managed as best she could and did get to enjoy the things that made her happy for some time. Mom was a fighter. She and Dad rolled with the punches and adapted to many things over the years. Mom's illness made her ability to fight much harder as it progressed, but she continued to be the organizer and commander until the end. Just prior to her passing, she was preparing for her and Dad to move back to Brandon to get some more assistance in their lives. She unfortunately passed the week prior to their move but true to her ways, everything was planned and ready to go. We will miss that spirit, but we will always have the memories of her love, guidance and caring for us all.
A gathering to remember and celebrate Mom's life was held at the Breezy Bend Country Club on May 6. Thank you to all that attended and shared time and memories with Dad and us all.

Publish Date: May 7, 2022

As published in Winnipeg Free Press, Brandon Sun on May 07, 2022, May 14, 2022