ELSIE MARY DONALDSON (PENNER)

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ELSIE MARY DONALDSON
(nee PENNER)

Elsie peacefully passed November 14, 2020, at Bethania Personal Care Home in Winnipeg at the age of 91.
Born February 28, 1929, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to parents Peter and Katharine Penner, Elsie lived and studied in Winnipeg until her graduation with Honors from the University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry/Faculty of Science in 1951. She then moved to Ottawa, starting her very successful and published 40 year plus career with the Federal Government, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, (CANMET).
In 1964, Elsie married J. Roger Donaldson of Cape Breton, NS and continued to reside in Nepean, Ontario. The two shared a passion not only for science but also boating and spent many a holiday navigating the waters around Ottawa through and across the lakes to New York in their cabin cruiser.
Throughout her life and well into retirement, Elsie kept herself busy by volunteering at the Pearly Gift Shop and with her hobbies of lapidary work and model building. Some examples of her beloved windmill models can be seen at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Manitoba as well as a tall ship model or two in Ottawa, Kelowna, Nova Scotia and Winnipeg.
Elsie was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Katharine Penner, husband, Roger Donaldson, brothers, Theodore (Ted) and Peter (Oscar) Penner.
Elsie leaves to mourn, nephews, Teddy and Ricky Penner of Winnipeg, Paul Penner of Victoria, BC, nieces, Linda Rozon of Victoria, BC, and Michele Murphy of Glace Bay, NS, brother-in-law, Edison Donaldson also of Glace Bay, NS, her good friend of 70 years plus, Vera Rolko, as well as cousins and friends in Ottawa, Steinbach, Winnipeg, Kelowna, Hamilton and Windsor.
As per her wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service is planned for the spring of 2021 in Winnipeg.
In lieu of flowers, those that wish may make a donation to the charity of their choice.

It's now your time to explore and experiment without constraints or conditions.
Fly free Elsie, fly free.
Always of our thoughts and always in our hearts, we will truly miss you.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2020