Donna Cheryl Regula (Nee Swanson)

1955 ~ 2018

On November 19^th, 2018, Donna passed away peacefully at Selkirk Regional Health Centre, surrounded by family.

She is survived by her loving family; husband Dennis; son Coleman (Heidi) and their children, Theo, Lila and Everly; son Leighton (fiancée Hailey) and their child Isabella; and daughter Jade (fiancé Keith). Also surviving her are brother Raymond; sister Iris (Wolfgang); sister June; cousins and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents, Olafur and Nanna Swanson.

Donna was born in Winnipeg and spent a happy childhood with her siblings and neighbourhood friends.  She enjoyed music lessons, Girl Guides, Pioneer Girls, Camp Arnes, sports and drawing.  She also attended the Brooklands Community Church.

Special highlights of her youth were participating in the International Peace Garden Track Camp and being a member of the Young Cooperators Writing Club.  She was happy to have some of her stories and poems published.

Donna loved spending time with family and friends and they were tremendously important to her.  She loved life, writing, reading, art, socializing, walking, movies (especially those starring Tom Hanks), dining out, slo-pitch, curling, bowling and travel.  Vacations in California, the Caribbean and Las Vegas were particular favourites.  She was proud of her Icelandic heritage and liked going to Folklorama.

Education was important to our mom.  After graduating from St. James Collegiate, she took the Creative Communications course at Red River College and wrote radio commercials and did freelance writing.  She went on to complete a Bachelor of Recreation Studies degree and obtained an Activity Worker’s certificate.  She worked in the area of recreation for many years, most recently as an Adult Day Program Coordinator, and loved it.

Donna volunteered at her children’s school, helping out in the classroom and assisting the Anola Band Parents Association.  She also enjoyed volunteering for several years at the Winnipeg International Writers Festival.

A service will be held on Saturday, November 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Sobering Funeral Chapel. 1035 Park Avenue E., Beausejour with interment to follow in Eastdale Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life will follow in the Brokenhead Room, Brokenhead River Community Hall.

Donna feels she had a good life and now thanks all the caring people she met throughout her life.  She will miss all of them.  Special thanks to Gail and Ken, Susan and Rick, Donna R., Bev, Ben and Mary, Fitz, Vicky, Mel, Heather, Sally, Sherry, Lori, Amanda, Diane and Hanna, and all of her medical caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, a bursary will be awarded to an in individual pursuing a Creative Communications Diploma at Red River College in Donna’s honor.  Donations may be sent to Coleman Regula, c/o Box 214 Anola, MB R0E 0A0.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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