Donna Jean Somerville

Donna Jean Somerville was born in Chilliwack British Columbia to John and Violet Brown on June 11th 1934. She was an only child and lived the life of a small town farm girl until she moved to Calgary as a young woman. There she met and married Ron Somerville and they started a family together, having two boys David and Richard.

The family moved to Beirut Lebanon in 1973 to explore new possibilities and to be near and get to know Ron's side of the family. Donna had two very young boys (7 & 4) in a strange country, didn't know the language, was unfamiliar with the local laws, currencies and cultural differences and yet while Ron was traveling for work, she navigated the waters and directed our lives like a professional.

In 1975 the civil war in Beirut dictated that the family be evacuated to Athens, Greece.

Donna set right in to making an incredible home life, managing two very active young boys and all their sports and activities, also becoming a board member at the American Youth Center (AYC). Using Athens as a home base, Donna was able to travel on her own to Russia and China during times when not very many foreigners were allowed in to these countries. The family traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East during this time as well.

In 1981 the family moved to Miami Florida where she again set up shop with two teenagers and a traveling husband. In 1984 the family moved to Syracuse New York then in 1987 to Cleveland Ohio then off to New Orleans Louisiana, and finally retiring to Kelowna British Columbia Canada to be near Donna's Father. Ron and Donna lived out the rest of their days in Kelowna.

Donna is survived by her two sons David and Richard (Cindy), her Granddaughter Alyson and Great Grandson Braxton.

She was a most incredible woman. Those of you who knew her, knew... those that didn't should have!

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyviewfuneralhome.com for the Somerville family.