In Loving Memory of 
Donna June Chambers
(nee Boxall)
age 86
Lovingly remembered by her daughters Lana (Wes) 
and Lauren (Greg), five grandchildren and 
five great grandchildren.  She was predeceased 
by her husband Garth in 2013.

Died
October 7, 2024
Evergreen Place PCH
Boissevain, Manitoba

 

Celebration of Life
Monday, June 30, 2025
St. Paul’s United Church
Boissevain, Manitoba
11:00 a.m.

 

Donna June Chambers (Boxall) passed away peacefully with her family near her side at the age of 86 on October 7, 2024 at Evergreen PCH in Boissevain, Manitoba.
 
Donna is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Lana (Wes) Morningstar of Calgary, Lauren (Greg) Hiltner of Lake Metigoshe, her granddaughter Erica (Jason) Martyn, her four grandsons Aaron (Jill) Morningstar, Lyndon (Karly) Morningstar, Jared Isaac and Andrew Isaac, and her five great grandchildren, Aubrie, Emmett, Jack, Nathan and Elise. She will be dearly missed by her sister Jean Ford, brother Wayne (Marilyn) Boxall, brother-in-law Don Chambers, former son-in-law Gerry Isaac, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Donna was predeceased by her loving husband Garth in 2013, her parents, Vic (1986) and Avaline (Toots) Boxall (1987), her mother-in-law Erema (1975) and father-in-law Bruce Chambers (1990), her brother-in-law Ken (1994), sister-in-law Marj Chambers (2013), and sister -in-law Ida Chambers (2018)

 Donna was born November 3,1937 in Boissevain at the Nurse Halliday House, with Dr. Bird in attendance. As the eldest (of three children) Donna was an only child until her sister Jean arrived five and a half years later. Her brother Wayne arrived almost eleven years after that, about the time that Donna was moving away from home. Although there wasn’t a lot of extras to be had growing up there was much love, laughter and music.
 
The family moved from the farm north of Boissevain to a farm near Killarney when Donna was six years old. She had many great memories of the farm and playing with her sister Jean. It was during this time that her mother taught Donna to cook, sew, knit and quilt.

Donna attended high school in Holmfield and upon completing school in 1954 she moved to Brandon where she worked in a nursing home. Aber five months, she moved to Boissevain and started working in the Crowhurst Bakery. In 1956 Donna became a Telephone Operator at the Boissevain Telephone Office.

Donna met Garth Chambers in 1958 when she was 21 years old and they were married in 1959. Lana and Lauren were born in 1962 and 1963 respectively. Over the first few years the family resided in Boissevain, but they moved to Summerland, British Columbia in 1969 for Garth to pursue a business opportunity. With a desire to be closer to family they returned to Boissevain in 1971.

Back in Boissevain, Donna was fortunate enough to regain employment as a Telephone Operator, a job she loved. When the telephone office was closed in the 70’s, she began working in the kitchen at the hospital and after a few years became the Dietary Supervisor. The residents of Evergreen and the patients in the hospital received nutritious and delicious meals for twenty years under her supervision. Donna’ s passion for excellence, friendly nature and respect for others allowed her to make lifelong friends with co-workers and other staff members wherever she was employed.

Donna was an avid bridge player for 50 plus years. She joined the bridge club in Boissevain in 1966 and was an active member until 2022.  She was also an active parent in the Figure Skating Club when both girls were involved in figure skating.  Donna, along with Don Engbrecht and 
Eunice Wilibee were instrumental in Boissevain’s first Ice Carnival.

Spending time with family, especially the grandchildren, was Donna’s greatest source of love and enjoyment. Annual summer visits by the family to Lake Max and Boissevain were a highlight for everyone. Many of Donna’s yummy snacks were enjoyed at the lake and on the paTo in the backyard of their Boissevain home. During this time, many games of cribbage were played, where Donna used one of her favourite sayings “sleeping at the switch,’ which will be forever remembered.
 
Donna and Garth enjoyed travelling across Canada and in particular to Alberta, for visits with family. Mexico was also a popular destination.  Donna and the girls travelled to Australia in 2005, Vancouver Island in 2014 and Hawaii in 2016.  A huge highlight for Donna was “Christmas in November,” in Jasper and a family cooking class in Calgary, to celebrate her 80th Birthday in 2017.

Donna was a perfectionist and as a result she was as an accomplished sewer, quilter, cook and baker. We all have many treasures made by Donna.  A love of cooking and baking has been passed down through the generations and we all enjoy her yummy cinnamon buns and shortbread at Christmas time (her very favourite holiday).  Grandma D, GD and Grams were all terms of endearment that her grandchildren imparted. She always had homemade cookies and pies ready and waiting for each visit and they would all say she made the best homemade PJ’s for them each year for Christmas.

One of Donna’s greatest gibs and one we will miss dearly was that she was so very patient and taught all of us so many life skills. Ask her and she would show you how to iron a dress shirt, how to make cinnamon buns, how to sew, knit, or crochet, how to get a stain out of anything or how to make cranberry jelly. In her later years, she loved to sit in her living room and reminisce about childhood, growing up and family heritage. She always made time to connect with each and every one of us. 

Many who knew Donna would describe her as friendly, kind and as having a great sense of humour. She had an infectious smile and loved to laugh. She definitely had a mind of her own and liked to do things her own way. She always saw the good in people and was proud of her community. 

The last few years saw Donna move from her home of 51 years to Cherry Creek, Westview Lodge and finally to Evergreen. None of this was easy but Donna made the best of these changes making new friends along the way. She always had a smile when people stopped in to visit and would usually say she was just thinking about you and that you might pop in for a visit. 

Donations in memory of Donna may 
be made to the Boissevain and Morton 
Foundation Box 1075 Boissevain, MB R0K 0E0