Obituary of Donalda "Donna" Margaret Veitch

Donalda (Donna) Margaret Veitch March 19, 1929 – March 19, 2019 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donna Veitch née Tucker. She leaves to mourn her four children, Rodney (Phyllis), Cheryl Burton (Hugh), Dennis (Maxine) and Barbara (Dave Goodman). She also leaves to mourn 7 grandchildren, Becky Ericson (Brent), Trevor (Kerry), Ryan (Christa), Kevin (Myra), Corrie Hutmacher (Sean), Tanya and Dustin (Sameira), 14 great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, Ena Tucker and Jessie Bell, niece Darlene husband Barry Diller and many more nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years Alex, her siblings Irwin, Archie, Grace, Buster and Evie; her parents, William and Mary (Irwin) Tucker and parents-in-law William and Ruth (Mawer) Veitch. She was born in Virden, MB, and travelled home on the train to the family farm in Margaret, MB at 1 week old. The youngest of six children, there was always a lot of activity to keep up to. She was always very athletic and enjoyed bike riding, skating and of course walking as it was a means to get from place to place. She continued being active for as long as she possibly could. Her welcome sign said "If I am not home I am out golfing". The same could apply to curling. She went to Harmony and Margaret School and took teacher training during the summer of 1946. She accepted a posting at Tarbolton School in the fall of 1946, where she was only a couple of years older than some of her students. It was during that school year that she met the young man down the road and promptly fell in love. Alex and Donna were married on October 18, 1947. She moved a mile down the road from where she was boarding to spend the next 58 years as a farmer in the Bradwardine area, among many wonderful friends and neighbors. Donna was an amazing cook and the more the merrier at meal time especially for the holidays. The dining room table extended the full length of the living room and dining room. Her brothers and sisters-in-laws, nieces and nephews were always welcome. She loved to garden and had a magnificent vegetable patch, that would be canned, frozen and pickled by the end of the season. Many hours were spent on the lawn mower, driving the grain truck, knitting and sewing. Her flower garden could rival any Home and Garden feature. Donna loved to tend to the flower plants, trimming, pruning and hauling water from "the hole". The birch tree was babied like a 5 child after it was broken off by the kids trying to jump over it. Semi retiring from farming, because you probably never fully retire from farming allowed them to travel. They went on tours overseas and to the United States. Many of the trips were to watch curling at the Brier and the World Curling Championships. In 2005, after much debate they moved to Rivers, MB. In the words of Alex they were only 36 steps to the legion. It didn't take long for mom to eye a bare patch of garden space by the highway and so began the garden patch again. The flowers sprouted up around the suite and it was soon packed full of new buds. Mom was always a huge community supporter and many a bake sale was supplied by her baking. She was often called on to cut the cakes due to her keen eye on making every square the same size. Losing Alex in 2008 left Donna with a hole that was hard to fill. Mom loved her family and family gatherings; nothing made her happier than to be involved in their lives and activities. She was her kid's biggest supporter. Failing physical health meant moving to the Rivers PCH in May of 2017. Giving up activities was especially hard for mom, but she took great pride and joy in her family. We will remember her unwavering love and support. We will remember her for giving us the motivation to remain active in sports and in the community. We can only hope to live up to her legacy. Please join us for a Memorial Service on Monday, April 1, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Rivers United Church, 339 Main Street, Rivers, MB. A reception will follow in the Rivers Legion. A private interment will be held at a later date. Flowers graciously declined, a donation can be made to the Riverdale Community Center or to a charity of your choice.