Elaine Donaldson

DONALDSON,  Elaine (nee Burtwell)

Elaine (Mum, Granny) died on Dec 26 at the age of 95, in her beloved home of 50 years in Victoria surrounded by her loving family: daughter Jane (Neville), adored grandchildren Gillian and Angus, daughter Penny Noble (Peter), and dog Suki.

Predeceased by her husbands, Lt. George Warwick Noble (1953) and Captain (N) Richard Lockwood Donaldson (1996) and brother Michael Burtwell, Elaine was Born Nov 5, 1926 in London, England, and lived in Kingsdown, Deal. She trained as a physiotherapist at Kings College London. She met a dashing Canadian naval pilot, George, and came to Canada to marry him. Sadly he died accidentally only a few years later and she returned to England where she met Richard who brought her back to Canada and pre-deceased her in 1996 after 41 years of marriage and adventures together. Elaine never gave up her British spirit, humour, grit and determination, describing herself as a “tough old bird”, and was remarkably resilient overcoming many difficult challenges and remaining fiercely independent right until the end.  The family tradition, listening to the Queen’s Christmas speech continued even this year.

Elaine will be remembered for her generosity, humour, love for her family, and cats (including the long- lived Tigger), dogs, sea swimming, annual stays at Yellow Point Lodge, her love for gardening (and her frustration with deer!), hanging baskets she still planted in her 90’s, and her nightly glass of wine. And of course, her tennis, played with gusto well into her eighties.  Also for driving a standard shift into her 90s! We will miss her legendary lemon squares, brownies and fish pies that were a vital part of her “Granny to the rescue” trips to family in Vancouver, transported in a laden red cooler, on the bus!  Mum played a central role in our lives; we often referred to her home as “head office.”

We miss her enormously, but we are grateful for her well lived long life, many friends and wonderful neighbours, particularly her helpful friend Joanne Hamilton. She will be missed greatly by UK family and friends including “viper” daughter Samantha.

Thank you to the care team at RJH 4S and hospitalists Drs. Christanson, Lawson, Demott, family Dr. Kachan, caregivers Linda and Helen, Palliative Care Response team Misha and Karina, and Community Nurse Natalie.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 7th 2022 at 2pm. You are invited to join us for tea in the garden, rain or shine. There will be chairs and tents. If possible please dress in bright colours, wear a hat! If you have a photo or memory, please bring it for a memory book.We respectfully request only those who are triple vaccinated attend. For more details, please contact us at: pnoble@telus.net
*note parking will be limited so car sharing or taxi or getting dropped off is recommended!

In lieu of flowers, donations in mum's memory to Victoria Hospice Society, BC Cancer Foundation-VI, the Knowledge Network, BC SPCA or charity of your choice are much appreciated.