Obituary of Donna Bernier
Bernier, Donna May (Dickhout) Schwanz
We regret to announce the passing of Donna May (Dickhout) Schwanz, Bernier at Haldimand War Memorial Hospital, Dunnville, on Sunday, August 12, 2018 after a long and courageous battle. Born in Dunnville on July 12, 1933 to George and Helen Dickhout of Dunn Township; she leaves behind her adoring daughter Sheila (Schwanz) Wilson of Vancouver, BC. Survived by her brother Gordon (Deanna) Dickhout of Dunnville, Bonnie (James) Gillap of Woodstock, and Becky Clarkson of Caistor Centre, along with many dearly loved nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law Allan and Jean Dickhout of Dunnville, brother-in-law Russell Clarkson, and son-in-law David Wilson.
Donna embraced life with passion and energy. An active seamstress from a young age, she won awards from the Haldimand Homemakers Club and Royal Winter Fair. At 10 she received a letter of commendation from the Canadian Red Cross for knitting the most women’s balaclavas in the Dunnville Division for the war effort, an accomplishment she was very proud of. During her years in Dunnville she worked for Dominion Fabrics, Dot Blakely’s Dance Studio, Lanark, and Bics.
In 1972 she received her accounting certificate from Georgian College in Orillia before moving to BC, living in both Revelstoke and Kamloops. She owned and operated DeeJay Accounting from 1973-2013. In 1981 she returned to school for her Business Management and Marketing certificate from Douglas College which led to a position as Manager of Ladies Wear with K Mart. But her first love was always her Antiques and Collectables business which ran from 1997-2014. She was a well respected expert in the field at all of the shows and fairs in BC.
An avid hockey supporter and fan, Donna was a founding member of the Revelstoke Rockets Hockey Club. She was active with several Junior Hockey Booster Clubs, and was Hostess of the Hospitality Room for the Kamloops Blazers for 26 years, starting in 1982. She rubbed elbows with scouts, coaches and many of the greats over the years.
She returned to Dunnville to finally settle into retirement in November 2015, but was stricken with cancer less than a year later. As with all things in her life, Donna faced it head on, determined to fight, and a valiant battle she fought, bringing it into remission for nearly a year before it returned to claim her.
She was a powerhouse of energy who embraced life with a quick laugh and a positive attitude. She will be missed by friends and family from coast to coast.
Visitation will take place at Ballard-Minor Funeral Home, 315 Broad St. E., Dunnville, on Wednesday, August 15th, 2018 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. with the Funeral Service to follow at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Internment in Woodlawn Cemetery. Flowers are welcomed, as are donations to The Haldimand War Memorial Hospital.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donna
May
Bernier 1933 2018..
Death notice for the town of: Dunnville, Province: Ontario