DONNA CARLSON

April 12, 1948 ~ March 14, 2020

It is with sadness that the family announce the passing of Donna May Carlson at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Saturday, March 14, 2020, at the age of 71 years. She was born in Calgary and was raised in an orphanage until the age of 4 years old, when Edith and John Cross adopted her and moved to the Peace Country. Donna was a caring, giving and a kind hearted lady with a wonderful sense of humour who always made you feel loved and welcomed… she gave the best hugs ever! Donna worked as a probation officer and a gardener and in her leisure she enjoyed travel, golf, wood working, baseball and umping baseball games. Donna loved people and was a great advocate and supporter of International Rescue. One of her most memorable occasions was her marriage to Darlene Van Leeuwen on April 16, 2011. Donna was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma to her family. Some of her greatest achievements were publishing Cowboy Poetry, playing with the South Alberta Pipes & Drums and being 21 years sober. Her Catholic faith was an important part of her prayer life and healing through the years. Donna will be forever remembered in the hearts of her spouse, Darlene; children, Len (Joelene) Blackman, Lorna (Evert) Blackman, Lee Ann (Shaun) Givens; grandchildren, Brittney (Nick) Silva, Beau Blackman, Rielle Blackman; great-grandson, Bronston Silva; brother, Marc (Shannon) Cross and nieces, Candace Baker, Angela Roswell; great-nieces, Meghan Clément, Katie Roswell, Mandy Roswell as well as her great-nephew, David Sherburne. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Friday, March 20, 2020, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. A Celebration of Donna’s life will follow at 10:00 a.m. with Life Celebrant Gerry Getz officiating. For the health of our community due to the Covid-19 Virus, it is recommended by the Chief Medical Officer of Health that funeral services be limited to a maximum of 50 people. As a courtesy, the Celebration of Donna’s life will be Live Streamed through Cook Southland’s website. Those who cannot attend but wish to be a part of the service may click on the Live Video Stream link on our homepage. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Lung Association, 208 – 17420 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton, Alberta T5S 7K6. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455 www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & directed”