Born February 21, 1925.
It is with great sadness that the family of Donnie Hector announce her passing on December 2, 2019 following a brief illness at University Hospital, London, Ontario.
She is survived by her husband Gordon following 72 years of marriage. Loving mother to Pat Teasdale (Butch 2000), Don Hector (Joanne), Paul Hector (Donalda) and Melanie Grabowski (Jim). Predeceased by brothers Charlie, Lachie and Roy Locke and sister Marrion Rosbottom. Dear Grandma to Joyanne Beckett, Tim Beckett (Maggie), Laura Schauer (Jeff), Eric Hector (Erin), Ken Teasdale (Deb), Kathy Kohls (John), Terry Teasdale, Peter Videka (Laura) and Natalie Videka. Dearest Great Grandma (“GG”) to Brittanie (Josh), Sara, Sean, Logan, Rachel, Abby, Hannah, Luke, Maddy, Emma, Jaxon, Willow, Levi and Colt. Great-Great Grandma to Landon. She will be fondly remembered by her cousin and friend Marg Randa and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
After some difficult early years, she thrived as a student in Novar, Huntsville, and then graduated from Secondary School in Peterborough at the age of 16. During the war years, she became a bank employee in Hamilton, Ontario as a safe deposit box clerk. At the same time, she was guardian to her younger sister when she herself was still a teenager. At the end of the war, during the Victory over Japan (VJ) Day celebrations, she met the love of her life Gordon Hector. They were married in Hamilton, on Sept. 6, 1947. They raised their family in Hamilton, Wiarton and North Bay.
Donnie enrolled at the North Bay Teacher’s College in 1965 and began a 22-year career as an educator in 1966 with the Nipissing Board of Education. She was active as a Barbershop Quartet singer (the Baytones), curler, bridge and euchre player, loved to play scrabble, was an avid reader, a great seamstress and an excellent cook. Using every dish available was usually the sign of a good day in the kitchen.
Donnie and Gordon went on annual family camping trips until a rainy camping week in 1961. Donnie announced she was not going to camp with 4 young children, one being a baby, anymore! The result was the building of a cottage on Georgian Bay which became the family focal point for over 55 years. She and Gordon retired to their home on Georgian Bay in 1990 where they enjoyed many happy years with family and friends. Days were filled with Christmas in July get togethers, bonfires, boating, horseshoe and card tournaments, Sibs weekends, cross country skiing and walks around Kettle’s Lake in Awenda Provincial Park. They also travelled around Ontario to square dancing meetups. Their adventurous side took them to Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal.
The last several years have been spent in the London, Ontario retirement residences of Richmond Woods and Glendale Crossing.
Anyone who knew Donnie, can testify to her enthusiasm for enjoying life, having fun and her kindness to others. She always went out of her way to know or meet everyone in a group wherever she went.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation (Midland) would be appreciated.
In accordance with Donnie’s wishes, she has been cremated. A funeral service and burial is scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday, May 9 at St. James on-the-Lines Anglican Church, Penetanguishene, Ontario. A reception will immediately follow. A confirmation announcement will be issued as that date nears or contact a family member to confirm. Messages and condolences may be left at www.forestcitycremation.com
It is with great sadness that the family of Donnie Hector announce her passing on December 2, 2019 following a brief illness at University Hospital, London, Ontario.
She is survived by her husband Gordon following 72 years of marriage. Loving mother to Pat Teasdale (Butch 2000), Don Hector (Joanne), Paul Hector (Donalda) and Melanie Grabowski (Jim). Predeceased by brothers Charlie, Lachie and Roy Locke and sister Marrion Rosbottom. Dear Grandma to Joyanne Beckett, Tim Beckett (Maggie), Laura Schauer (Jeff), Eric Hector (Erin), Ken Teasdale (Deb), Kathy Kohls (John), Terry Teasdale, Peter Videka (Laura) and Natalie Videka. Dearest Great Grandma (“GG”) to Brittanie (Josh), Sara, Sean, Logan, Rachel, Abby, Hannah, Luke, Maddy, Emma, Jaxon, Willow, Levi and Colt. Great-Great Grandma to Landon. She will be fondly remembered by her cousin and friend Marg Randa and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
After some difficult early years, she thrived as a student in Novar, Huntsville, and then graduated from Secondary School in Peterborough at the age of 16. During the war years, she became a bank employee in Hamilton, Ontario as a safe deposit box clerk. At the same time, she was guardian to her younger sister when she herself was still a teenager. At the end of the war, during the Victory over Japan (VJ) Day celebrations, she met the love of her life Gordon Hector. They were married in Hamilton, on Sept. 6, 1947. They raised their family in Hamilton, Wiarton and North Bay.
Donnie enrolled at the North Bay Teacher’s College in 1965 and began a 22-year career as an educator in 1966 with the Nipissing Board of Education. She was active as a Barbershop Quartet singer (the Baytones), curler, bridge and euchre player, loved to play scrabble, was an avid reader, a great seamstress and an excellent cook. Using every dish available was usually the sign of a good day in the kitchen.
Donnie and Gordon went on annual family camping trips until a rainy camping week in 1961. Donnie announced she was not going to camp with 4 young children, one being a baby, anymore! The result was the building of a cottage on Georgian Bay which became the family focal point for over 55 years. She and Gordon retired to their home on Georgian Bay in 1990 where they enjoyed many happy years with family and friends. Days were filled with Christmas in July get togethers, bonfires, boating, horseshoe and card tournaments, Sibs weekends, cross country skiing and walks around Kettle’s Lake in Awenda Provincial Park. They also travelled around Ontario to square dancing meetups. Their adventurous side took them to Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal.
The last several years have been spent in the London, Ontario retirement residences of Richmond Woods and Glendale Crossing.
Anyone who knew Donnie, can testify to her enthusiasm for enjoying life, having fun and her kindness to others. She always went out of her way to know or meet everyone in a group wherever she went.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation (Midland) would be appreciated.
In accordance with Donnie’s wishes, she has been cremated. A funeral service and burial is scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday, May 9 at St. James on-the-Lines Anglican Church, Penetanguishene, Ontario. A reception will immediately follow. A confirmation announcement will be issued as that date nears or contact a family member to confirm. Messages and condolences may be left at www.forestcitycremation.com
