Obituary for Donna Julia Bird (Mitchell)
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Donna Julia Bird. Donna passed away peacefully the morning of August 24th at the age of 79, at Royal Columbian Hospital.
She was born September 4, 1941 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and married her sweetheart Walter on January 30th, 1960. Donna is predeceased by her parents Lee and Phyllis Mitchell and her loving husband of 43 years, Walter Ernest Bird, who passed away in 2003.
Donna is survived by her sister Deanna Gray, twin brother Donald (Maria) Mitchell; her four sons David, Deryl, Shawn (Samantha) and Mike, daughter Sandra (Tim) Kromhoff, daughters in law Karen, Tracy and Jen, nine grandchildren, Derek, Greg, Tyler, Mathew, Jeff, Jordyne, Brad, Bayley and Sydney, and her great granddaughter Khloe. Also sadly missed by her loving nieces and nephews.
Donna worked as a Psychiatric Aide at Riverview Hospital but her true passion was being involved in whatever her kids wanted to do. Donna, along with Walter, were heavily involved in Poco Minor Baseball, both being inducted into the BC Minor Hall of Fame - Donna in 1997 and Walter in 1994. On June 24th, 2006, the City of Port Coquitlam honoured both of them by naming the newly constructed Bantam field, The Bird Field, for all of the tireless hours they contributed in growing the game of baseball in Poco.
Donna would help out wherever asked, whether it was scorekeeping, concession, scheduling, coordinating, or any of the other dozens of jobs that needed to be done. She was always willing to lend a hand. She also held many positions on the Poco Baseball executive. When she wasn't working at the field, she loved watching her boys play. Even after they all stopped playing, she would still be down at the Bird Field or Thompson Park, to watch them coach.
Donna was also involved in Port Coquitlam Ringette from its inception. Her love of the game came from being able to coach her daughter. Donna was one of the first coaches of ringette in Poco and, along with her good friends Bev Felske and Leona Charnley, won silver at the 1982 Nationals, in Sudbury, Ontario.
Donna enjoyed spending time with her family and her loving puppy Snoopy, as well as Wednesday Bingo and lunches at Wilson Center with her friends Eva, Karen and Joyce and her Casino and Lunch dates with longtime friend Pat Goff. We are all saddened by her passing, but are grateful that she will be able to see her Walter again. May they both find peace, together and forever.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that a contribution be made to Port Coquitlam Minor Baseball c/o The Walter and Donna Bird Fund, P.O. Box 271, Port Coquitlam, BC. V3C 3V1, to help alleviate the cost of registration for those who otherwise could not afford it.
She was born September 4, 1941 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and married her sweetheart Walter on January 30th, 1960. Donna is predeceased by her parents Lee and Phyllis Mitchell and her loving husband of 43 years, Walter Ernest Bird, who passed away in 2003.
Donna is survived by her sister Deanna Gray, twin brother Donald (Maria) Mitchell; her four sons David, Deryl, Shawn (Samantha) and Mike, daughter Sandra (Tim) Kromhoff, daughters in law Karen, Tracy and Jen, nine grandchildren, Derek, Greg, Tyler, Mathew, Jeff, Jordyne, Brad, Bayley and Sydney, and her great granddaughter Khloe. Also sadly missed by her loving nieces and nephews.
Donna worked as a Psychiatric Aide at Riverview Hospital but her true passion was being involved in whatever her kids wanted to do. Donna, along with Walter, were heavily involved in Poco Minor Baseball, both being inducted into the BC Minor Hall of Fame - Donna in 1997 and Walter in 1994. On June 24th, 2006, the City of Port Coquitlam honoured both of them by naming the newly constructed Bantam field, The Bird Field, for all of the tireless hours they contributed in growing the game of baseball in Poco.
Donna would help out wherever asked, whether it was scorekeeping, concession, scheduling, coordinating, or any of the other dozens of jobs that needed to be done. She was always willing to lend a hand. She also held many positions on the Poco Baseball executive. When she wasn't working at the field, she loved watching her boys play. Even after they all stopped playing, she would still be down at the Bird Field or Thompson Park, to watch them coach.
Donna was also involved in Port Coquitlam Ringette from its inception. Her love of the game came from being able to coach her daughter. Donna was one of the first coaches of ringette in Poco and, along with her good friends Bev Felske and Leona Charnley, won silver at the 1982 Nationals, in Sudbury, Ontario.
Donna enjoyed spending time with her family and her loving puppy Snoopy, as well as Wednesday Bingo and lunches at Wilson Center with her friends Eva, Karen and Joyce and her Casino and Lunch dates with longtime friend Pat Goff. We are all saddened by her passing, but are grateful that she will be able to see her Walter again. May they both find peace, together and forever.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that a contribution be made to Port Coquitlam Minor Baseball c/o The Walter and Donna Bird Fund, P.O. Box 271, Port Coquitlam, BC. V3C 3V1, to help alleviate the cost of registration for those who otherwise could not afford it.