Obituary
Surrounded by his loving family, Donald Manford Wickett passed away peacefully at Hospice House in Kelowna, BC on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. He had battled cancer for several years and although he lost the fight with lymphoma, he won the battle of life. Those who knew him will recall his honesty, integrity, generosity and kindness; his life was a life well lived.
Born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan to Norman Henry and “Mae” Amelia, Don was a brother to George. He was raised on the family farm in the Glamis district and fondly recounted events of his childhood. Don was educated in Glamis, Regina and ultimately graduated from Rosetown High School in 1952. In 1954, Don married his high school sweetheart, Jean Taylor Hutcheon in a double wedding, in which Jack Crossman also married Jean’s sister Betty.
Don began his working career as a farmer but returned to university to study Mortuary Science. He began his funeral service career at Rosetown Funeral Home. In 1963 he purchased the Castlegar Funeral Home and moved his young family to British Columbia. He served a term as President of the BC Funeral Directors Association and advocated for honesty and integrity throughout the industry. In the 1980s he briefly tried his hand at Real Estate. He enjoyed some successes but returned to the work he loved. He had a special gift at comforting families through their darkest days. He finished his career working for the Loewen Group Funeral Company in both New Westminster and finally in Courtenay where he retired in 1993.
Don was a strong advocate to serve the communities in which he resided. He gave tirelessly to those communities. He was a Rotarian and served as President of the Castlegar Rotary club. He joined the Masonic Lodge early in life in Rosetown and later became a Shriner. Every Shriner will tell you “no man stands as tall as he that stoops to help a crippled child.” Don believed it and he lived it. He participated in many parades, proudly wearing his Shriners Fez while walking beside his grandchildren or riding his cruising cooler.
After retiring, Don and Jean moved to Kelowna. There he continued his dedication as a Shriner and also volunteered for the Cancer Center for the Southern Interior. He could also be frequently found volunteering his time at several local golf courses. He enjoyed organizing golf and social activities in the adult communities in which he and Jean lived.
Don was a loving and supportive father to his 4 children. He ensured they all had the opportunity to meet their educational goals. Sports were a big part of family life with hockey, swimming, skiing, waterskiing, golf and motocross occupying family time. The family will remember the summers at Christina Lake at the family cabin. Family holidays to Disneyland, skiing in Lake Tahoe, and New Years in Hawaii were family highlights. He loved a family dinner and traveled to enjoy those dinners as his children and their families spread across the country. No distance was too far if it involved family.
In the summer of 1980, Don and Jean built a new home. Don hired his son Gregg to work on the project. They shared a meticulous attention to detail and Don knew the home would be well built. In 1993, Don experienced the ultimate tragedy. He said goodbye to Gregg as he lost his battle with cancer. No father should have to do that.
Don’s favourite sport was golf. He was able to play until 2021. He introduced all his children to golf as well as many of his grandchildren. He collected golf memorabilia and volunteered at the Skins Game at Predator Ridge. He got to meet both Mike Weir and Phil Mickelson who played left handed the same as he did. He appreciated golf at a high level and was thrilled as he had a front row seat to watch his son Norman’s team win a golf tournament in support of a disabled child.
Don and Jean were fortunate enough to travel and see the world. They loved Arizona and maintained a residence there for a few years. Laurie shared their love to travel and accompanied them on a trip to Scotland. Together they were able to visit St. Andrews and explore Jean’s father’s heritage in Peterhead.
Don had a love for aviation. He obtained his Pilot’s licence early in life. He continued to fly his own airplanes into the 1980s. Later on he loved going into the cockpit of the big planes to see his son Patrick in control in the left seat.
Surpassing Don’s many successes was his love and devotion to his family and all those he opened his heart to as extended family and friends. But it was Don’s love for Jean that sustained him throughout his life. Theirs was a partnership that extended beyond 70 years and admired by many; a true love story. As his health betrayed him, he often voiced his concern for Jean and her future. His family assured him we would care for her as he had intended.
As his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, we feel so very fortunate to have had him as our Dad and Papa. We will never forget his unconditional love, support and encouragement for whatever we did in our lives. No one was prouder than Papa, to see his family succeed. He will be so dearly missed.
Don is survived by his wife of 67 years Jean; children Norman (Wanita), Laurie, Patrick (Terina), and (Jackie Coolen); grandchildren Christine, Matt, Connor, Kelsey, Jillian, Katie, Gio, and Jayde; great grandchildren Austin, Isla, Cora, and Emily.
His first son Gregg Donald, parents Norman and Mae, and brother George predeceased him.
A celebration of life will be held at the Everden Rust Funeral Chapel, 1910 Windsor Road in Kelowna, BC on Saturday April 23, 2022 at 1:00 pm.
The family would like to thank the staff of Okanagan Hospice for their kind compassionate care. In addition, his family would like to thank his physicians Drs. Obedkoff, Imrie, Rocca, Carter, Kluftinger, Jugnauth, Hodgins, Cardiology Group, Hospitalist group, Halperin and Dueck, as well as the countless nurses and support staff that worked compassionately to extend his life, so that he could enrich ours.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to the Okanagan Hospice
“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”
Thomas Campbell
Read more
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donald Manford Wickett October 1 1933
March 30 2022..
everden rust funeral services & cremation
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique
death notice Donald Manford Wickett October 1 1933
March 30 2022
mortuary notice Donald Manford Wickett October 1 1933
March 30 2022