Donalda Marie Perry

1924 – 2014

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donalda Marie Perry.  Donna was born on November 3, 1924 at Tantallon, Saskatchewan and passed away on December 10^th, 2014 just after her 90^th birthday at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.  At a young age her father taught her how to hunt and fish along with many other basic life skills she would use over the years to follow.  In 1943 Mom married Elwood Perry, and soon after he went overseas to war leaving her with a newborn son.  She then went to stay with family at Creston, B.C. and worked in the family orchard until Elwood returned from the war.  Together they took over the family farm, and worked side by side building up a herd of Black Angus cattle, along with the grain farming.  Mom grew a huge garden, milked cows, cooked and did all the chores a farm woman had to do.  Throughout the years their house on the farm was today’s bed and breakfast.  We never knew who would be stopping in, when, or how long they would be staying, but one thing we knew was that mom would have a meal ready and everyone was welcome.  When they sold the farm and moved to Rocanville, mom again worked side by side with dad building their new home together.  A few years later they decided they wanted to live up north and purchased a lake resort at East Trout Lake.  Over the years there they made many lifelong friends and enjoyed it so much that they built a cabin at the townsite.  Mom worked at Fishing Lakes cooking for the fire crews for a few years, the highlight of which was a helicopter ride over the lakes.  Many years were spent fishing and hunting with friends and relatives.  Mom was always patient, teaching the little kids how to fish and taking them to the beach, making campfires and cooking those famous bush pies.  Mom thrived at East Trout Lake and spent many happy years there.  Together mom and dad built their last home at Candle Lake.  Candle Lake is where mom enjoyed many years with new friends, sewing, quilting, baking and playing cards.   Throughout the years mom was able to travel to places she had always dreamed of going.  One of her favourite trips was to Churchill to see the Polar Bears, travelling with her brother Ivan and sister-in-law Mable.   The song, “Coat of Many Colours” comes to mind when I think of mom.  She sewed our clothes out of “hand me downs” and made them into new clothes.  Mom was very talented and creative.  Over the years she tatted, crocheted, knitted many siwash sweaters and socks, and of course sewed and quilted many, many quilts which she gave to grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours.  Mom’s favourite time of year was fall, because it meant returning to Tantallon and the Qu’appelle Valley for hunting season.  Mom’s picture with her 5 point buck was featured in Big Buck Magazine and she was very proud of that.  When she no longer hunted, she enjoyed being there and listening to the hunting stories at the end of the day. She was able to see several grandchildren learn how to hunt and fish, just like she used to.  Mom was a role model and mentor to a lot of people. She was known as Great Grandma, Grandma, Mom, Donnie (to her brothers and sister), Auntie Donnie to nieces and nephews and Donna to her friends.  She will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.  In lieu of other tributes, memorial donations can be made to the Candle Lake Church or the Tantallon Church.  A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014 at the Candle Lake Cemetery.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306-922-4729).

 

• Date : 2014-12-10