Myrtle Lorraine Donaldson passed away peacefully on November 26, 2024 at the Cypress Regional Hospital in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Myrtle was 90 years old and lived a fulfilling and a rewarding life. She left us surrounded by family and friends.
Myrtle is survived by her four children: Monty (Twila) Donaldson, Christine Donaldson (Darron), Carol (Nick) Karwandy, Jeffrey (Maxine) Donaldson; nine grandchildren: Monty, Nicole, Ryan, Ellen, Laura, Ken, Blaine, Kellee, and Kyle; seven great grandchildren; three siblings: Darlene Williams (Raymond), Helen (Alvin) Wiklun, Harvey (Lara) LaRocque; brother-in-law Lawrence Williams and 38 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Kenneth Donaldson; parents Ernest and Myrtle LaRocque; parents-in-law Harold and Elsie Donaldson; in-laws: Lloyd and Myrt Donaldson, Glen Donaldson, Joy Donaldson, Albert Buettner; nephews: Lyle Buettner and Chad Wiklun.
Myrt was born on June 16, 1934 in Spalding, Saskatchewan. She was the eldest of four children. The family later moved to Tofield, Alberta, where she graduated from Tofield High School in 1953. As a child and teen, Myrt gained an appetite for fun and hard work. She worked numerous jobs including babysitting, cleaning, clerking, and waitressing. Myrt loved school and studying. She was also very artistic as a child.
After graduating, Myrt moved to Edmonton where she worked as a telephone operator for AGT and then for the Department of Defence. In 1951, she met a dashing hockey player named Ken Donaldson and they married January 27, 1956. The couple shared a life of love, laughter and adventure. They had four children in Edmonton, then moved the family to Swift Current in 1965.
Myrt had a keen business mind and entrepreneurial spirit. Myrt and Ken started their first business contracting test tanks to local oil companies. Following that they started a furnace cleaning business. During these ventures, Myrt organized, kept the books and floated the businesses. She was also the bookkeeper for Wong’s Kitchen for many years. In 1971, Myrt and Ken established Southern Charterways Limited, a thriving bus charter and tour service that took them on many journeys and adventures across Canada, the United States and Alaska.
After Ken passed in 1991, Myrt launched her own health food store and continued to work in that field until she was 82 years old when she retired as the poster girl for Nutters.
Throughout those years, Myrt also volunteered for the Lioness Club, Royal Order of Purple, Eagles and Oil Wives. She also billeted hockey players.
Myrt had many passions in her lifetime. She loved to dance, she was a sharp card player with special talent in Crib and Bridge. She enjoyed hockey, curling, concerts, art, music, theatre, bingo and the casino. She was a fabulous cook and loved to bake - her chocolate chip cookies were unbeatable.
Myrt was a force of nature. She had zest. She was energetic, courageous and genuine. She was direct and voiced her opinion freely. Yet, she possessed a most generous, kind and compassionate soul. Myrt had an infectious laugh, she loved to have fun and could spin a good tale. These qualities earned her love and admiration of family and life – long friendships.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Cypress Regional Hospital for their amazing care, her long – time physician, Dr.Tara Lee for her excellent care. Special thanks to invaluable friends Diane Lang, Barb Lines, Linda Hallborg, You are blessings in disguise. A huge thanks to Steve Radman and everyone at the Prairie View Lodge.
Funeral service for Myrt will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 12:30 p.m. at the St. Stephens Anglican Church in Swift Current with Reverend Shepherd Munzara officiating, reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to:
The Canadian Cancer Society
1910 McIntyre Street
Regina, Sask
S4P 2R3.
Gabriel Dumont Institute
(Student Emergency fund)
917 22nd Street West
Saskatoon, Sask
S7M 0R9
Arrangements Entrusted To: Warren's Funeral Home. For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.