DONNA LEE TESAROWSKI
On Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Donna passed away at the age of 51 years at the Health Sciences Center in
Winnipeg after a two decade fight with Scleroderma. Donna’s eyes were donated to the Manitoba
Lions Eye Bank, an organization her Uncle Chester founded.
Donna was born in Minnedosa, MB
on November 14, 1961, daughter of the late Benny and Violet Tesarowski, sister
to David (Dawn), Dale (Janet), and Daryl; beloved aunt to Katie (Scott), Andrew
and Laura, Josh (Jen), Sam and Jacob.
After graduation from Minnedosa
Collegiate in 1979, Donna worked at the Minnedosa Co-op garage before attending
Red River Community College to complete an administrative assistant course. She
began working at Sport Manitoba in 1981. In 1984 she was hired as the Executive
Director for Artistic Gymnastics until 1994 when her career was cut short by
her illness. She was highly regarded by her peers both in Manitoba and
nationally. She loved her gymnastics “kids” and made many lifelong friends
through the sport.
Numerous trips were made with
friends and to see family, travelling coast to coast in Canada and points in
the U.S. and was raring to go on the next road trip, even if it was just a
short drive to Lockport for a hotdog. Donna was known for her fun-loving nature. She
loved the colour purple, to eat out and to shop, especially for others. She was the ultimate party planner, left no
detail unattended and went to great lengths to find the perfect gifts for
friends and family alike. Her specialty
was surprising people, but because of her enthusiasm, had a hard time to keep
from spilling the beans. She never
missed an episode of Coronation Street.
Donna inherited her mother’s
green thumb and loved the challenge of growing plants from seeds, even a coffee
bean. She proudly maintained her independence and lived on her own with the
attentive home care provided by Ewa and Irina. Donna’s spirit was unwavering.
She valued her friends and was an inspiration to all in the way she faced so
many obstacles while courageously battling her illness. The family is grateful
to all the special people in Donna’s life—the medical team who helped her over
the years and especially her posse of friends who were her family too, and did
so much for her.
A tribute for Donna will be held
on Friday, November 23, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. in the Holiday Inn West, 2520
Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. Family also
invite friends to gather on Saturday, November 24, 2012 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the
United Church Hall, Minnedosa.
In lieu of flowers, donations in
Donna’s memory may be made to The Arthritis Society, 105 – 386 Broadway Avenue,
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R4.
Wojcik’s
Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.
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