Edna Lavina Donald

DONALD, Edna Lavina

Edna Lavina Donald of Red Deer, Alberta passed away peacefully, devoted family by her side on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at the age of 94 years. 

Deeply loved, she will be missed by her younger brother, Raymond Smith; as well as her children, Florence Meyers, Sharon Redelback, Jeanette Beaumont, Terry Redelback, Naomi Scott, Ryan (Carmen) Redelback and James Earl Donald. 

Predeceased by her parents, John and Carrie; her son, Jack; her siblings, Billy, Harold, Ruth, Phyllis, and Earl; and her son-in-law, David.

She was a dear grandmother to her thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. As well as her extended family and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Lavina was born on March 16, 1928, to John & Carrie Smith. She married Reuben Redelback September 1947 in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Settling in Brooks, Alberta to raise their seven children, together they maintained a large farm year-round, ice fished in the winter and ran a successful gravel trucking business in the summer. When Reuben’s health failed, they sold the farm in Brooks in 1974 and chose a smaller farm in Benalto, Alberta. Reuben passed away in 1976, leaving his young family at the age of 56.

In 1991, she grieved the loss of their son, Jack Redelback who passed tragically in a trucking accident while in Fort McMurray, Alberta. 

Lavina was married to Jim Donald in 1977, in Eckville, Alberta. Together they welcomed and raised their son, Earl. They later sold their farm and built a house in the town of Eckville, Alberta. Both enjoyed gardening, raising birds, as well as hobbies, crafts, and puzzles. Not only a busy mother who enjoyed cooking, baking, and taking care of her home, she also become a loving caregiver to her own mother and sister Ruth. Lavina was always known for her loving hospitality to her beloved friends, family, and the Eckville Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

In 1994, they moved to Calgary, Alberta. For ten years, they enjoyed social gatherings and outings with all their friends in the Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Sadly, her loving husband, Jim lost his battle with his failing health in 2003.

She moved up to Prince George, BC in 2007. It was here that she formed many loving friendships with those in the Prince George Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. No longer wishing to live alone, she moved in with her son and daughter, Jeanette, who became her cherished caregiver. 

In 2018, they both came to Red Deer, Alberta. She was delighted to spend those precious years first residing with her son, Ryan, and his family and then together with all her daughters. She enjoyed dinners with her family and friends and the association of those that came to visit and later through Zoom during her congregation meetings in Red Deer.

As her health began to decline, she moved into Extendicare in the Michener Hill Seniors Home in Red Deer in April of 2021. Her days were busy with visits from all her friends, family, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who would play her favorite games like yahtzee and connect her to congregation meetings by her side. Lavina was known to her kind, loving nurses as a happy and pleasant patient who always had a smile. She actively witnessed her faith, handing out tracts to all who enjoyed listening.

Lavina will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her witty sense of humour and most importantly, always faithfully serving her God, Jehovah. In 1940 she was baptized at 12 years old and expressed her beliefs and her love of Jehovah to everyone she met for 82 years. Her heartfelt wish was that all her family would serve Jehovah together.

She will be forever missed, loved, and remembered until we see her again.

A Memorial Service will be held on Zoom on May 8, 2022, at 2:00pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the worldwide work at JW.ORG