Obituary of Donna May Vander Maaten

In Loving Memory

Donna May Vander Maaten (nee Carpenter/Alberton)

April 23, 1938 – April 5, 2024

 

With profound sadness, we must announce the passing of our beloved mom, grandma, aunt, sister, and friend, Donna. She passed peacefully in her home in Kimberley, BC, in the early morning of April 5, 2024, surrounded by her loving family after a brief battle with cancer.

 

Donna was born in 1938 to Claude and Ida May (Dahlvang) Carpenter, in a farmhouse in Gilroy, Saskatchewan. In 1946, the family moved to Shutty Bench in Kaslo, BC where Donna spent her adolescent years. After graduating high school in 1955, she aspired to become a Registered Nurse. In 1956 she moved to Vancouver to obtain her Registered Nurse training at St. Paul’s Hospital. During this period, she found the bustling city life to be quite a shock, longing dearly for her family and the quaint charm of Kaslo. After completing her nursing education in 1959, she returned home, started her career in Nelson, and eventually settled in Kimberley in 1961.

 

Donna married her first husband, George Alberton in 1962, and soon thereafter had two children, Kelly, and Darrin. Donna and George loved to spend their summers camping in the Wasa area with the kids. During this time, Donna worked at the Kimberley Hospital and JF Hazard Clinic as a Registered Nurse, fulfilling her passion for helping others. Later in life, Donna married her second husband, Stien Vander Maaten in 1996. Their marriage was filled with love, joy, and cherished moments together. Donna was wholeheartedly devoted to the United Church and loved to participate in choir, and community events, and attend Sunday services.

 

Donna is predeceased by her husband Stien Vander Maaten, her sisters Helen and Joan, and nieces Anita, Sherri, and Debra.

She is survived by her brother, Ted Carpenter, daughter Kelly, and son Darrin, grandchildren, Kyle, Dana, and Megan, many nieces and nephews, the Vander Maaten family, and all their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Donna was an astoundingly compassionate, kind-hearted woman and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. We love you mom/grandma/aunty!

 

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the Kimberley Shared Ministry (United Church).

 

In lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask for donations to the Kimberley Shared Ministry (United Church) as per Donna’s wishes.