Obituary of Donna Mervil Van Beselaere

Donna Mervil Van Beselaere A life well lived. Donna M. Van Beselaere has finished her travels in her well lived life. Donna passed peacefully from this world in the early morning on October 26 at the Pasqua Palliative Care Unit. Donna was born March 13, 1941 in Arcola, SK. the fifth of six children of Gordon and Minnie (Ruby) Smiley. Donna met young Donald Van Beselaere in 1955. Don quickly fell in love with this dark haired, somewhat rebellious, beauty. They were married in Estevan on January 11, 1958. Donna and Don Van Beselaere have five children, Rick Van Beselaere (Betty), Cindy (Gord) Osborne, Ken Van Beselaere (Denise), Lorie Van Beselaere and Krista Van Beselaere. Donna and Don started with little, except for love and determination, but through hard work and devotion, they achieved great things for themselves and their family. Donna’s love for their children blossomed even more with their nine grandchildren, Nick Bobryk, Carissa (Josh) Robins, Nathan (Athanasia) Van Beselaere, Brianna Bobryk (Steve), Tyler Osborne (Teanna), Michael Van Beselaere, Ashlee (Nick) Rodriguez, Christopher Van Beselaere and Justin Van Beselaere. Donna and Don’s love spanned almost 58 years of marriage (and counting), and that love grew even more for their five great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Robins, Keiraleigh Bobryk, Weston Robins, Johnny Van Beselaere and Jaxon Bobryk. These five great-grandchildren lit up the lives of Nana and Papa every day. To watch Nana and her great-grandkids bake cookies and banana bread was a most wonderful sight (and taste). Donna had many passions. She and Don loved to golf. They were members of the Royal Regina Golf Club for many years and built many friendships on the golf course. Donna continued to enjoy golfing until her illness. Donna also loved to camp and fish, especially when those times included family reunions with her siblings, nephews and nieces. Donna loved her dogs, she was a regular on the north Regina dog walks with her loving Curly, her cherished BamBam and most recently with her beloved Babe and Emmy. Donna and Don loved to travel to places like Cuba, Barbados, Jamaica, Mexico, St. Maarten and Hawaii. The Van Beselaere household was never quiet when the family got together. Donna would be found in the centre of the mayhem usually working hand in hand with Don in preparing the event and the meals. Donna was an active member in Heritage United Church and found incredible comfort in the community of the church and in her faith. Donna’s family expresses their heartfelt thanks to all the health care professionals at the Regina General Hospital and elsewhere that helped Donna in these last these last eight months. In lieu of flowers, Donna requests your generous support in Donna’s name of the Christian Children’s Fund of Canada which she supported for many years. The celebration of Donna’s life well lived will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2015 at Heritage United Church, 1050N Arnason St., Regina, SK. “My precious family, weep for me no more I am in Heaven with loved ones, Among Angels I soar”