April 17, 1926 – December 18, 2020

Donna Joy Anderson (Simon, née Westlake) April 17th, 1926, Shaunavon Saskatchewan – Dec 18th, 2020, Kamloops, B.C.

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Donna Anderson announces her passing. Mom was just 4 months’ shy of her 95th birthday, fortunately, the family was able to come together in 2016 to throw a surprise party for her 90th birthday – we will all remember the joy and excitement on her face that day.

Mom was born in Shaunavon Saskatchewan and was the youngest of 3 girls (sisters Phyllis and Helen). Her parents, Eva (nicknamed Bertie) and Edward John (Jack) Westlake were in the hospitality industry in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. After her parents retired early from their business, they moved and settled in West Vancouver to continue raising their girls. Mom grew up in a loving home and had a happy childhood. She recalled memories of riding her bike to piano lessons in the 1930’s, and playing on Lawson Avenue where her family lived.

Mom began her 20’s by moving to the interior of B.C. to work and live at the Tranquille Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Kamloops in the late 1940’s. Her eyes always lit up when she shared memories of her time as a nurse’s aide there. She was delighted to talk about staying in the Nurse’s Residence, and how self-sufficient the Sanatorium was, having their own crops, dairy cows & piggery.

Mom was feisty and had endless amounts of spunk, she always had a funny quip and never held back from speaking her mind. Despite not having a driver’s license, she independently got around Kamloops on her own, often using transit or walking downtown. She was an avid reader, enjoying Westerns especially. When her eyesight began to fail her, she instead adapted to listening to audiobooks. Mom was truly a tough woman, she fought and won against cancer, and maintained her memory right until the end.

Left to mourn her passing are her children Wayne (Liz) Simon [Russell Ontario], Gary (Nancy) Simon [Beamsville Ontario], Heather (Rick) Greville [Stoney Creek Ontario], Lois (Del) Hiltz [Penticton], Aaron (Joanne) Simon [Kamloops], Shelley (Rob) Ring [Kamloops], Tracey Anderson [Penticton], along with her 20 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Mom will be laid to rest alongside her parents at Capilano View Cemetery in West Vancouver.

The family would like to thank the staff at Pinegrove Care center in Kamloops for being so wonderful to our mom in her last years.

You may offer condolences by visiting Schoening Funeral Service.

• Date : 2020-12-18
• Location : Kamloops