DONALDSON, Josephine Mae
Josephine Mae Donaldson (nee Bell), “Josie”, 86, of Comox, British Columbia, passed away suddenly on August 16, 2012. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m, Friday, August 24, 2012 at Piercy’s Mount Washington Funeral Home at 440 England Ave., Courtenay.
Josie was born in Bowsman, Manitoba, on July 18, 1926. She graduated as a Registered Nurse from Dauphin General Hospital in May 1947 and went to have a successful career as a nurse in Flin Flon, Manitoba. She met and married the first love of her life, Don Donaldson, on June 21, 1950, in Flin Flon. Josie and Don’s marriage was filled with their love and devotion to one another, raising their children, enjoying their many close friends, and tending to their businesses in Flin Flon.
Josie and Don moved to the Comox Valley in 1983 where they made many more friends and quickly grew to love their new community. Their children, Miles and Patti, and their spouses followed. Josie and Don couldn’t have been happier to have their children so close. Josie was devastated by Don’s death in December 1992.
Josie was just too special to be alone for long and several years later she and old family friend, Howard Nichol, realized that life had given them a second chance to love deeply and be loved deeply in return. Josie and Howard were together for 17 years. They thoroughly enjoyed travelling, Howard holding Josie’s hand the whole way. Howard was with Josie at the moment of her passing on an Alaskan cruise.
Josie is survived by Howard; her children, Miles (Elaine) Donaldson, and Patti (David) Korven; and her many nieces and nephews. In addition to Don, Josie is preceded in death by her first son, Joseph, who died as an infant; her parents, Kate and Charlie Bell; her brother Malcolm (Gwen) Bell; and her sister, Doreen (Keith) Armstrong.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, Aug. 24 at 2:00 pm at Piercy’s Mount Washington Home. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Diabetes Association or to a charity of your choice.