Gaylene “DONNA” Kidd
71, of NANAIMO BC, passed away peacefully, Friday December 26, 2014 with her family at her side.
Donna loved to spend time with her family and could usually be found either completing the New York Times crossword in ink, working on her current jigsaw puzzle or kicking some butt at the pool table in the family room.
She was born in Preeceville Saskatchewan, December 5, 1943. Raised on the farm with her two brothers and four sisters. She moved to Vancouver BC at the age of twelve and finished her schooling there. Married with two small children, in 1967 Donna and her family ventured north to Stewart BC where she resided and raised her family. In Stewart, Donna opened the first Sears catalog office which gave the residents of the small town access to goods not previously available in the secluded north.
When Donna left Stewart in 1980 she moved to Terrace BC where she met Robert Kidd. Donna and Robert were married in Maple Ridge BC on December 29, 1984. Donna and Robert settled in Nanaimo in 1994 and never looked back. Donna retired from VIHA in 2004 and spent a lot of her retirement timetravelling with Robert either by plane, train, or motor home!
Donna is predeceased by her parents, Wilfred and Phyllis Strand, and her sisters Myrna and Carole.
Donna is survived by her husband of thirty years, Robert William Kidd; her children, Debra Woodward (Joe), Alanna Lowrie (Rick), Lee Gehlen (Todd), and Sheila Gurrie (Blaine); and by her seven grandchildren, Noelle, Aaron, Nathan, Brendan, Jordan, Tyler and Trey. She is also survived by her siblings Bill, Sharon, Herb and Susan.
Respecting Donna’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. A private family gathering will be held in celebration of Donna.
The family also wishes to extend a special thank you to Edwin at First Memorial for all of his help.