Obituary of Jean-Elizabeth Donaldson

September 16th, 1921 - April 2nd, 2012 Predeceased by her beloved husband Herb, daughter Leslie, sister Pat (Harold), brother Stan, and grandson Jeremy. Jean was born in Edam, Saskatchewan and moved to the West End of Vancouver as a young girl where she attended Lord Roberts and King George Schools. She became an elite swimmer, spending her summers in English Bay, and later training under Percy Norman. She held the Canadian record in backstroke for several years, and would have attended the Olympics had it not been interrupted due to WWII. Jean and Herb married in 1943 and welcomed four children. Jean had an adventuresome and independent spirit and frequently took her children camping down the Oregon Coast and throughout Northern California. She continued her travels with her grandchildren taking them on adventures which included but was not limited to salmon fishing on Northern Vancouver Island and holidays in Disneyland. Jean persevered through several decades of debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, and most recently skin cancer, but she never lost her determination or wit. Jean is survived by her son Herb, daughter Sue (Charlie), son John (Denise), grandchildren Sean, Paul, Christine, Julian, Lindsay, Kelly, and Conor, as well as 11 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Arthritis Society or to the SPCA. The family wish to thank all of the nurses and doctors who helped care for her over many years. A celebration of life will be held at The Rose Room at Park & Tilford Gardens on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 2pm.