DONNA MAY SALAMACHA (THOMAS)

Condolences & Memories (15 entries)

• I have so many wonderful memories of my many years with Donna - we spent years of summers at Grand Beach together and went out for dinner and shopping every Friday night for 25 years. Seldom did snow, nor sleet keep us from our Friday nights out. There were four of us originally - Donna's sister Pat, her friend and neighbor Grace, and myself. I think we hit every restaurant in Wpg. at one time. One of Donna's favorites was Nick's out in Headingly. She and Harry and Wayne and I had many years together also - many trips to Grand Forks and of course many fun barbecues at the beach. Donna was like a sister to me - we talked on the phone every day - she was a confidant, and a great motivator which I needed badly. I miss her terribly and always will. I wish I could pick up the phone and tell her what I did today = she was always interested and I loved to hear about her days too. We laughed together, we cried together and shared our lives together. She always told me how lucky she was to have Harry - he was her love, and she his - her children and grandchildren were everything to her - she always loved being with her family - it was so important to her. Church was also very important to her, and until she became too ill to go, I don't think she ever missed a Sunday in all the years we were together. I marveled at that - I used to tease her about it sometimes, and suggest God wouldn't mind if she missed church now and then, but she'd just give me that rolling of the eyes look and away she'd go. She will always be in my heart and I will never forget her. My thoughts and prayers are with Harry and the family and I hope to always keep in touch with all of them. - Posted by: Judy Lynne Warnock (close friend) on: Jan 17, 2013

• I am writing these words today to say farewell to my Aunt Donna, my mother's sister with some of my favorite memories of her. When I was a little girl, she was my glamour Aunt: single and fun and the only one I knew who had actually travelled to another country! Then she met the dark haired dashing fireman, Harry. When they were married, I was only six years old and I was the junior bridesmaid. I felt like Cinderella at the ball! It was very exciting when Donna and Harry moved in the house almost behind us and I could jump the fence and say hello. Needless to say, the excitement ended when my aunt had not one, but two boys. Sorry, but as my cousin Janis Thomas would agree, we were a little short of girls in the cousin pool. So, okay, at least they were cute little boys. I knew that I was considered to be almost an adult when my Aunt Donna asked me to babysit them. In those years, the going rate was 25 cents an hour, but Aunt Donna knew how to treat a babysitter right - her kitchen hallway cupboard was stuffed full of treats as if Hallowe'en was just a few days away. Grand Beach holds so many memories for me and for so many of you, but one of my dearest is that my extended family was always there. The Thomas family, the Maddens, and of course, the Salamachas took up most of the second stairs with blankets and lawn chairs. Aunt Donna enjoyed all of the years of her adult life there, laughing hours away in the sunshine and always seemed to be the most relaxed Mom there, cheerful and tanned visiting with friends and family. As the years passed, it seemed that you wouldn't see Donna at the lake without Judy Lynne by her side - two peas in a pod living almost across the street from each other on 5th Avenue. Every summer when I returned to Winnipeg after my teaching year closed, I would pop by to see my Aunt Donna and Uncle Harry as part of my start the summer at the lake ritual. Aunt Donna would give me the low down on my Mom, my family, her family, and the rest of our friends from her seat in the front porch. She loved going to the lake and I loved it that she was always there. Like all of you, I will miss my Aunt Donna very much. She is part of all of my life experiences, one of those family members who really knows you and whose love you can count on. I am sorry that I could not be there to say good bye myself, but as Aunt Donna would say, Oh well, don't worry about it. And that is what she was like - take each day as it comes and be thankful to God for what it brings. - Posted by: Lori Phillips (niece) on: Dec 12, 2012

• I had the pleasure of knowing Harry and Donna many years ago. I always enjoyed their company and my deepest sympathy goes out to Harry and David. - Posted by: Elaine Bugg (Friend) on: Dec 09, 2012

• Sincere condolences Harry and family . Best wishes to you all during this time of sorrow . - Posted by: Ken Dopson (Friend) on: Dec 08, 2012

• I have had the pleasure to meet Donna when she and Harry were vacationing in Las Vegas. They stayed in my family's rental so we looked forward every January when they came out. They were both so nice and fun to be around. They had a love for each other that was palpable whenever they were together. Even when they weren't together, Harry was always sure she was okay. I will miss this fine person and send my condolences and thoughts and prayers to Harry and the boys. - Posted by: Patty Bartlett (Friends with both Donna and Harry) on: Dec 07, 2012

• We will all miss Donna. She always had a smile on her face. Our deepest sympathy from all the Shippams - Posted by: Brian and Geri Shippam (Friend) on: Dec 07, 2012

• My deepest sympathy to Harry and family. - Posted by: Charlie Grant (friend) on: Dec 07, 2012

• To the Salamacha family, Our deepest sympathy to your family. So very sorry to hear of your loss. - Posted by: Tara and Geordie Cruickshank (Friends of Dave and Laura's) on: Dec 06, 2012

• Harry and Family,.. We are saddened by your loss. Most sincere condolences. We feel so fortunate to have been able to spend time with you both recently (while sharing a table for dinner on Roblin). - Posted by: Ron & Christine(nee Smith) Siewert (Friends) on: Dec 06, 2012

• Haarry and boys--Mick and I are sorry for your loss--we go back a long, long way. Ralph and Mickey - Posted by: Ralph Lyndon (friend) on: Dec 05, 2012

• I've been a good friend of Harry and Donna for over 10 years. I would see Donna occasionally each Winter when she and Harry would spend 3 months or so in Las Vegas. Donna usually wanted to head back to Winnipeg 2 or 3 weeks before Harry wanted to; but, being the good guy that he is, Harry would load up the truck and away they would go until the following early January, or thereabouts. Some years they drove through some major early Spring snow storms, but, they always made it home to see their grandkids and celebrate Easter with them. I spoke with Donna dozens and dozens of times on the telephone over the years. As she was in person, she was the same way every single time: friendly and cheerful, genuinely interested in my well being and of my family, as well. I am thankful to have known her, and particularly thankful that she was such a good Catholic. I firmly believe she will be richly rewarded by the Good Lord for the way she lived her life and treated others. - Posted by: James Pecora (Friend of Donna & Harry) on: Dec 05, 2012

• Our deepest condolences. We will miss you Donna. Love your Friday gal pal Grace Madden and my family. - Posted by: Madden family (Close friends and neighbors) on: Dec 05, 2012

• I REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS, WITH DONNA & HARRY. I WILL SAY A PRAYER FOR DONNA & BEST WISHES TO HARRY. - Posted by: Donald R. Phillips (FRIEND) on: Dec 05, 2012

• My deepest sympathy to Harry and family. - Posted by: Jim Freedy (friend) on: Dec 05, 2012

• To an amazing Lady and friend. My family had the pleasure of knowing Donna since we purchased a cottage down the street from the family. She was kind, generous with her time and spirit and very supportive of my parents and our family. I know there is another angel in heaven. My thoughts and prayers to Harry and the family. You were so lucky to have her in your lives. God Bless. - Posted by: Teresa, Ally and Marika Letwin (friends from the Beach) on: Dec 05, 2012