We Remember

HICKLING, Donna Elaine (nee Deane)

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Passed away peacefully on July 5, 2016 in in Kelowna, BC at the Central Okanagan Hospice House, after a six month battle with lung cancer. Survived by her loving husband John; daughters: Jeri-Lynne Jones (Byron) of Edmonton, AB, Tobi-Jeanne Byrne (Greg) of Kelowna; son Garett Hickling of London, ON; grandchildren: Montana and Ariel Byrne; sister Cindy Deane of Calgary, AB and brother Gerry Deane (Karen) of Kamloops, BC.  Predeceased by a son Donnie Hickling, her father Don Deane and mother Bertha Deane.  Donna was born August 19, 1946 in Prince Rupert, BC.  She retired in 2012 after 33 years with the Central Okanagan School District as the substitute teacher dispatcher.  Donna was known for her constant smile and cheerful demeanor. She was the ultimate Canadian mother and fan, attending all Paralympic Games from 1996 through 2012 to cheer on the Canadian Wheelchair Rugby Team. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior; Central Okanagan Hospice House; or the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association (CWSA.ca). A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 19th at 1:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.  If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”


Service
Tuesday, July 19th at 1:00 pm

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins Centre for the Southern Interior; Central Okanagan Hospice House; or the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association Link: www.bccancer.bc.ca, www.cwsa.ca

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for HICKLING, Donna Elaine (nee Deane) is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19th at 1:00 pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Cathy Sullivan says:
    July 9, 2016 at 11:26 am

    My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Hickling family. I worked with Donna for a number of years and always looked forward to our morning chats figuring out who was coming to our school for that day! She was grandma to do many children as she had many pictures of all the employees kids. She will be missed greatly! Unfortunately I will be out of town for the funeral! Love to you all. Cathy

    Reply
  • Traci Meier says:
    July 9, 2016 at 3:12 pm

    The world lost some of its lustre the day Donna left us. I will always fondly remember her infectious laugh when I recall my happy memories of Donna. What fun times we shared playing bridge… or as Donna would say,”if you can call that playing bridge”. Donna’s optimism and spunky spirit brought the best out in everyone. She was amazing at her job-her unparalleled dedication to her job was inspiring. She always seamlessly arranged things when one called in sick. But it was Donna’s zest for life, her laughter, her love of family and friends that made Donna the treasure we will all tenderly tuck away in our hearts. My deepest sympathy is extended to her loved ones. Each of you were her true pride and joy. We were all blessed to know her.
    Tracy Meier

    Reply
  • Susane Paquet says:
    July 10, 2016 at 7:16 am

    So sorry to hear of the passing of Donna.. All the years that I had the pleasure to chat with her she was always supportive and so great at her job. Heaven has just opened it door to another angel…

    Reply
  • Debbie Schmidt says:
    July 13, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    I wasn’t able to attend Donna’s retirement party several years ago, so was incredibly happy to bump into her later to personally wish her a happy retirement and to tell her how much she would be missed by School District 23. She provided so much peace and calm to those around her.
    Donna’s kind and caring spirit will surely be with those she loved for eternity. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.

    Reply
  • Deb Trewhitt says:
    July 14, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    I am very sad to hear the news of Donna’s passing. My sincere condolences to you, my dear old friend, Jeri and to the entire family. I always admired how Donna did her job at the school district with such patience, care and efficiency. There were many times when she would call me directly in the morning when she recognized my number trying to reach her, knowing I was ill and needing her help. What personal service she gave to us all! I felt very fortunate to have Donna looking out for me all those years! I loved our visits when Jeri and I would pop in upstairs to see Donna. She had such spirit and spunk. My heart goes out to her loving family. She will be missed.

    Reply
  • Betty, Mike, and Jason Crone says:
    July 19, 2016 at 2:57 am

    Garett and Family. We were so sorry to hear of Donna’s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We met Donna at different wheelchair rugby events as Jason and Garett both played for Team Canada. She will be missed by those who had the privilege of knowing her.

    Reply
  • Colleen Edstrom says:
    July 19, 2016 at 10:48 am

    I too was saddened to hear of Donna’s passing. We, as Home Ec teachers depended SO much on her to find someone confident to fill in for us when we needed someone. She gave it her ALL, and we admired how well she handled that pressure! And OH-to be so cheerful about it at 5am!! and even later in the day with emergencies! Loved her sweet spirit and I know she had a love for travel. Hope she’s sitting under a palm tree sipping a margaurita ( I know she loved PV) with Marj Drew ( our long time secretary at GPSS and dear friend of Donna). Donna was so proud of her family. May you all have many cherished memories of a such a sweet soul. Bless you all as you celebrate her life!!

    Reply
  • Chris and Dave Drew says:
    July 20, 2016 at 10:46 am

    John and family, We are so sorry about Donna’s passing. She will always be remembered for her great smile and laugh. She was such a great friend to Marge for so many years. I always looked forward to seeing you both at Michaelbrook for dinner and seeing her smile. We weren’t able to attend the service but wanted you to know our thoughts are with all of you.

    Reply
  • debbie bernardo gardner says:
    August 1, 2016 at 1:36 am

    With deepest sympathy..I will miss her smile and her spark.

    Reply
  • elaine patraschuk says:
    August 23, 2016 at 1:32 pm

    My sympathy to John and family and to the many people who were fortunate to know Donna with the Smiling Face. I just discovered that Donna had gone ahead of us to Heaven/The Other Side and tears and sadness as there as so many who will miss her loving spirit. She was a friend to me in the late 80s and I was blessed to know and work with such a great lady, and I thank her for all she did for me. I have memories of her charity for junior hockey in those days and helping out street kids … she was such a generous, loving soul.

    Her dedication and loyalty to SD23 was and will be legendary as was her love of her husband, children, grandchildren, coworkers, and friends. Her always-smiling, incredible optimism was inspiring. Donna was the sunshine of her home, and I still can see the picture of Donna and John on the front page of the Kelowna Daily Courier for Valentine’s Day, a testament to a loving couple. May all who knew her LLAP … thanks for the memories, Donna … with love and remembrance, Elaine Patraschuk, Red Deer AB

    Reply
  • Michelle Frawley says:
    October 16, 2016 at 5:24 pm

    Miss you forever Donna

    Reply

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