RANKIN, Donna Lynn (Patrick) - (1957 - 2021) - Peacefully and courageously Donna Lynn Rankin (nee Patrick) passed away at home in Stouffville, Ontario on February 9th, 2021 with her immediate family by her side.
Donna is survived by her husband of 43 years Michael, and daughters Vanessa (Joel) and Kristen.
She will be deeply missed by her eldest sister Gail (Geoff), and brothers Jim (Mary-Ellen), and Alex (Nicole), as well as her many nieces and nephews. Awaiting Donna in heaven is her beloved sister Wendy, along with her caring parents Mable and James Patrick.
Also awaiting her in heaven are her mother-in-law and dear friend, Elizabeth Rankin, and her much loved maternal grandmother Lilly Cassidy who were both guiding lights for Donna throughout her life.
Early in her career, Donna applied her sharp intellect and fine attention to detail as a bookkeeper for ACTRA. At mid-life she took the brave step to return to school to follow her life-long dream of pursuing a career in food. Following numerous apprentices and several years of study, Donna graduated from the Culinary Arts Program at George Brown College. As a professional Chef, Donna worked diligently within the industry, leading her to build her own successful corporate catering company, Northern Bounty Inc., based in Newmarket, Ontario. Her pride in this accomplishment and tenacity to follow her dreams as a third-generation female entrepreneur continues to be a huge inspiration to her daughters and was felt by all who knew her.
Donna had an altruistic spirit and earlier in life was a dedicated volunteer at The Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture. Following retirement, Donna’s desire to continue to make a difference by helping others led her to volunteer with Emmanuel International and an extended stay in Malawi, Africa where she worked as a hands-on volunteer with the United Nations World Food Programme. As an active member of the Stouffville community, she found great joy working with The ABLE Network and their wonderful participants, as well as volunteering for Laura Hunter’s STEPS Program, and as an involved and caring advocate for residents at Parkview Long-Term Care Home.
Donna’s adventurous nature inspired travels off the beaten path with her husband and daughters in Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Portugal, Costa Rica, and led us to walk the beautiful Camino de Santiago through Spain. She greatly enjoyed trips with her dear friends to China and Italy.
Throughout her life, Donna was incredibly strong, tenacious, hardworking, caring, and devoted to those she loved. Her sense of humour was quick and helped to carry her and those around her throughout her 2018 pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Every step of the way she continued to possess her trademark combination of immense courage and pragmatism. She ensured that she took care of everyone else first and that this disease did not win in defining her life.
As a family, we wish to sincerely thank the Evergreen Palliative Care team for their excellent and compassionate care in keeping Donna as comfortable as possible in her final weeks.
Donna will forever be engraved on our hearts. A spirit as big as hers will not go far from those she loved in life. Thank you to everyone who has known and loved Donna as much as we do and who will continue to keep her memory alive within them.
Donna embraced and lovingly shared this quote from Joe Biden with us to assist in our grief, and we hope it helps you too: “There will come a day, I promise you, when the thought of your son, or daughter, or your wife or your husband, brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye. It will happen. My prayer for you is that day will come sooner than later.”
In lieu of flowers, if so compelled, donations to support Evergreen Hospice evgcares.org would be greatly appreciated.
A Celebration of Life will be announced by the family at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted with Thompson funeral home, Aurora.
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