Donna Lee Barina

Donna Lee Drab Barina (nee Ediss), age 70, passed away from complications of Amyloidosis on November 4, 2016 at the McKenney Creek Hospice Residence in Maple Ridge, B.C. She was born on November 17, 1945 to Edward “Sunny” and June (Cameron) Ediss. Raised in Vancouver, BC, with her older brother Barry, Donna attended Sir Douglas Elementary, Sir Kingsford-Smith, Killarney, and David Thompson schools. It was at David Thompson High School where she met the first love of her life, Darcy Edward Drab. Darcy and Donna married on August 15, 1964. As they started their life together, Donna began her career in the mailroom of the Vancouver Stock Exchange. Over the years, her exceptional organizational and leadership skills developed, and despite a male-dominated environment, she worked her way up to the position of executive assistant to the Vice President of the VSE. Donna left her job in 1973 to devote herself to raising their daughters, first Danae and then Deserae, 3 years later. Not only did Donna manage the home and participate in the children’s activities, she quietly supported and contributed to Darcy’s various entrepreneurial endeavors. When Darcy passed away from cancer (a complication of Hemochromatosis) in 1990, Donna showed unprecedented strength and grace as she began living the life of a widow, single parent, and new President of Beda Sales and Marketing. All who knew her at that time marveled at her ability to pick up where Darcy left off and provide stability and comfort for her daughters. Donna was blessed to have subsequently met Joe Barina; the second love of her life, and they married on August 22, 1993. The latter half of her life included another loving marriage filled with a blended family, learning to cook Hungarian food, the arrival of grandchildren, exotic travel, and numerous boating excursions. Boating became a true passion for Donna and Joe and they created numerous, wonderful memories on the water. Sadly, Joe passed away from Mesothelioma in 2011 and Donna was, once again, a widow. In this unimaginable situation of losing a second husband to cancer, Donna managed to grieve honestly, continue to live life gracefully, and reinvent herself, yet again. In recent years, she reached out to make several new, wonderful friends from the Happy Wanderers (Pitt Meadows Walking Group). She quickly became the unofficial “Social Director,” organizing vacations, monthly dinners, and outings for the group. Donna learned to play (and love) golf and continued to live life to the fullest, cherishing her friends and family until her death. Donna is survived by her brother Barry (Carrol) Ediss; brother-in-law Brian (Carole) Drab; daughters, Danae (Geoff) Hudson and Deserae (Flavio) Kataro; step-daughter, Rita Mogyorosi; and 5 loving grandchildren: Kaitlyn Kataro (14), Hailey Kataro (12), Sophie Hudson (9), Sylvie Hudson (8), and Noah Hudson (5). The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the incredibly caring nurses at McKenney Creek Hospice and for all of the family and friends who have supported us during this difficult time. A celebration of life and light lunch will be held at 11:00 am on Friday December 30, 2016 at Burkeview Chapel, 1340 Dominion Avenue, Port Coquitlam, BC. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Canuck Place:

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