Donnalene Steven
April 21, 1931 - January 6, 2012
Donnalene (Dene) Steven has gone to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven. She passed away in Vernon on January 6, 2012 after a battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Dene was the much loved wife of James Edward Steven, and wonderful mother and friend to her four children: Douglas Steven (Cindy), Debbie Skinner, Rik Steven (Ralph Besser), and Janette Barnard (Dean). Dene leaves behind five grandchildren: Shelby Philpotts (Dan), Courtenay Kasper (Morgan), Tyrel Skinner, Roxanne Steven, and Mathew Barnard and four great grandchildren: Emily and Avery Kasper, Rowan and Wentworth Philpotts. Donnalene and James celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with family this past summer. She will be dearly missed by her entire family.
Dene was very close and dear to her three younger siblings: Dennis Sackett (Anne), Lorraine Jacklin (Buzz), and Suellen Dodd (Alan).
Dene was born on the family farm in Swift Current, SK on April 21st, 1931, and moved with her family to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, where she attended high school. She married James Steven in 1951, and graduated with honors from UBC as a pharmacist in 1953. Dene practiced pharmacy until 1987 and thereafter continued as a wise and studious resource on medical issues for her family and friends. As part of Dene’s desire to help people find healthy solutions for life, she was very passionate in her Christian ministry and service for over 50 years. Jim and Dene lived and worked in Williams Lake from 1969-1980 and have continued to maintain many of the friendships developed in those years.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 3rd, 2012 at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3415 - 15th Avenue, Vernon, BC. Instead of flowers, the family would like to suggest you wear something red to the service as this was Dene’s favourite color.