Donna Elaine Alexander (née Chesterfield) of Parksville, B.C., passed away peacefully, at the age of 97 years, at Oceanside Hospice at Trillium Lodge on July 26, 2026.

Donna was born in Gifford, Idaho and grew up on a farm nearby in Upper Ford Creek, Idaho. She earned a teaching diploma from Northern Idaho College of Education in 1948, and completed a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Oregon in 1950. She met her husband, Donald Lindsay Alexander of Vancouver B.C., at a school dance at Washington State University. They fell in love and were married on February 17, 1951.

Donna and Don had four children and many adventures together: exploring the Gulf Islands on their sailboat, raising cattle and horses on their hobby farm, hosting friends and family at their ski cabin in Whistler, and visiting their condo in Arizona. They finally retired together in a house overlooking a golf course in Kelowna, B.C. Throughout the years, they also enjoyed tennis, hiking, curling, cycling and square dancing with their many friends.

Donna grew up playing the card game “rummy”, which she continued to play with passion and great success with all of her friends and family until her passing. In recent years, Donna lived independently at the Berwick Parksville and liked to stay active and fit through her daily walks. Donna enjoyed all life had to offer but above all else, Donna loved family.

Donna’s legacy is, without a doubt, the large loving family she created through her many years of endless giving and unconditional love. Donna’s love of family was summed up in her final statement to her four children as they gathered at her bedside: “Family is love.”

Donna is predeceased by her husband Don. She is survived by her children, Cheryl (David), Michael (Kathy), Bruce (Heather), and Janet (Douglas); her grandchildren, Maia (Robby), Lara (Rob), Alexa (Jean-Marc), James (Samantha), Stuart, David (Chelsey), Cameron, Kyle, Jenaya, and Kaydee; and her great-grandchildren, Dana, Elliott, Lila, Mira, Reni, Safi, Sophia, Penelope, Evelyn, Theodore and Piper.

Donna’s family extends their sincere appreciation to the excellent caregivers at the Oceanside Hospice. The family will have a private celebration of life, and sends their love to all who knew Donna over the course of her full and wonderful life.