DONALDA VAN LEUSDEN (PELLETIER)

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DONALDA VAN LEUSDEN (nee PELLETIER) December 10, 1908 - November 30, 2008 Ten days short of her hundredth birthday, suffering from the after effects of a recent fall, Donalda passed away in the loving presence of her family. She is survived by her daughter Karen van Leusden and Karen's husband Sergio Pustogorodsky and their children, Alexandra and Mischa Pustogorodsky. She will be missed as well by her youngest daughter, Heather van Leusden. Donalda was predeceased in 1972 by her husband, Harry van Leusden. Donalda was an indomitable woman with a rich, vibrant and interesting life history. Her parents were early settlers of Manitoba, having emigrated from Quebec soon after Manitoba became a province. She was the youngest child of Doria and Maria (nee Vermette) Pelletier of St. Boniface, Manitoba. Out of 16 children, eight survived, and her siblings, all now deceased, were Albert, Edmond, Leona (Devigne), Rosalba (Robert), Leopold, Hector and Marianna (Devigne). In her lifetime, she saw the introduction of electricity, automobiles, airplanes, telephones, televisions and computers. She was a young girl when Canadian women received the vote and began to work outside the home. She was a witness to the Winnipeg General Strike of 1918 and had siblings die during the worldwide influenza pandemic in the same year. She lived through both World Wars. As a child, she attended St. Joseph's Academy, where she excelled academically. She was a Grey Nun for a number of years. During and after leaving the religious life, she was a teacher. In 1940, she met and married Harry who was an immigrant from the Netherlands. During the Second World War, she traveled extensively as she followed her husband in his postings with the Royal Netherlands Army. Donalda was a real character - feisty, colourful and very strong willed. When she was widowed after many years of marriage, she picked herself up and discovered meaningful ways to carry on. She lived independently until eight months before her death. She was a small person with a big personality. She could be very charming, but she also was very capable of defending herself. She had a great respect for learning and was an avid reader throughout her life. In her sunset years, she relaxed and mellowed and allowed her playful side to take the lead. She never feared death and was ready to go at any time. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 Des Meurons Street. HIGH FLIGHT Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings. Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace where never lark, or even eagle flew And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God - John Gillespie Magee Jr. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 06, 2008