Obituary of Donna Helene Fletcher

Donna was born in Cranbrook, BC to Hollis “Slim” and Helena (Sarah) Wheeler (nee Fleming)
As a young girl she showed prowess in piano, skating and later the Cranbrook Girls Bugle Band. Talented, athletic, and beautiful, she was a triple threat.
When she was around 8 years old, Slim bought a cabin at Moyie Lake which has become a generational meeting place, emotional touchstone, and a beautiful family legacy that continues on to this very day. She and her husband Don stayed at “the lake” every summer and this past summer was no different as she enjoyed hosting her children, their spouses Shelley and Andy, and especially her 4 grandchildren (Jordynn, Lace, Logan, and Rowan) who were the light of her life!
At 17 she moved to Vancouver to attend UBC where she was quickly recruited to attend normal school (teachers college) during the 1950s baby boom.
Her first posting was to Ridgeview school in West Vancouver where she was adored by her students and fellow staff members for her enthusiasm and creativity.
No one adored her more than her fellow Ridgeview staffer Donald Fletcher.
The two were swept up in a lifelong romance that was the talk of the school and by 1959 they were married and started a life together in West Vancouver.
A dynamic duo district 45 had never seen the likes of, she often told stories of their early days together that delighted friends and family with warm and often hilarious anecdotes.
In 1961(?) they built a house on Russet Place and in 1964 they welcomed their first child Scott and in 1967 their daughter Kerri.
Donna took a leave from teaching to be at home with their small children and once Kerri was of school age she decided to go back to work.
As a teacher she was best known for her artistic creativity and especially her elaborate musical theatre productions as the sole artistic, musical, and theatrical director. She was even her own rehearsal pianist!
Her favourite play to put on was always The Wizard of Oz. All of her former students fondly remember these shows to this day, and many went on to work in the industry citing her influence.
She loved to travel and took many trips abroad with the family and later with Don and their gang of friends.
She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by all.
Donna is survived by Donald Fletcher, Kerri Fletcher, and Scott Fletcher

“Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh, why can't I?”

 

In leu of flowers please make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation