DONALDA GUNN RAY CAMPBELL

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DONALDA GUNN RAY CAMPBELL December 14, 1914 - July 1, 2009 It's with great sadness we announce the passing of our mother and Grannie, aged 94. She was predeceased by husband James Stewart Campbell in 1983, daughter Mary in February 2009 and beloved brother Earnest Ray in 1975. She is survived by sons John Stewart (Dee) of Phoenix, Donald James Samuel (Sandi) of Whitehorse, son-in-law Bryan Kinrade of Winnipeg, granddaughters Julianna, Lisa (Brian) Woolhouse, Chrissi (Jim) Nappe, and grandson Jeffrey, (Jennifer) Craner and ten great-grandchildren. She is also lovingly missed by a sister she adored Kathryn Jean (Alan) Bradley, along with numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews Dee was born in Strathroy, Ontario in 1914 to Earnest Wilfred Ray and Lenna Maude Hill, but at three months relocated with her family to Winnipeg. There she spent summers at the family cottage at Lake Malachi, forever fanned her passion for nature and building a community of life long lake friends. She attended Kelvin High School where she was president of the student council. A self described tomboy she was always happy to find the next adventure and excelled in sports. She was a champion diver and paddler, and it was through figure skating at the Winnipeg Winter Club that she met future husband Stew. Outside of athletics, it was the artistic world that captivated Dee. She attended The Winnipeg School of Art, her talent landing her a position as an illustrator for Brigden's Catalogues. A job she loved amidst great colleagues. Married in 1939, she went on to raise her family in River Heights and continued her love of painting through the Forum Art Institute among others. She was known as Auntie Dee at the cottage where she continued to spend her summers well into her eighties. Her expert dives off the tripod at the end of the dock, steady hand on the paddle and slow graceful swim strokes will remain the stuff of legends around the Bradley Bay bonfires. Her sense of humour and laugh were infectious and in her own words Ive had a wonderful life, a good kick at the can, or is that cat?... as the saying goes . The family would like to thank the kind and caring staff at the Golden Door Geriatric Centre for their unfailing patience, good humour and gentle hands. A fall service is being planned. Details to follow at a later date.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 29, 2009