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Donaldson, Francis Stanley

(March 26th, 2023)

FRANCIS STANLEY DONALDSON passed away after a brief illness in Kootenay Lake Hospital on March 26, 2023, at the age of 91.  Stan, as he was known as, was born in Nelson on January 7, 1932.  He grew up in the family home on Front Street, moving to Proctor with his family during the war years.  He and his family returned to the home on Front Street after the war so he and his brother Herb could attend high school in Nelson.  As a teenager Stan enjoyed sports.  Hockey and baseball were his favourites. 

After graduation from high school, Stan worked at Wood Vallance Hardware Store on Baker Street.  Stan was an avid badminton player, winning the West Kootenay Championship in the late 50’s.  He met Mable McDowell, from a farm in Delburne, Alberta, who was visiting her friend Dodie and Dodie’s new husband Herb Donaldson, Stan’s brother, in Nelson in 1954.  This handsome guy was particularly attractive because he wasn’t a farmer.  Mable did not want to marry a farmer, so when Stan inquired as to the difference between a “heifer and a steer” the engagement was set. 

They were married in Delburne on March 31, 1955.  They settled in Nelson, with Stan taking on a new position with the City of Nelson at the city’s electrical generating plant at Blewett.   They moved to Blewett for four years before returning to live in Nelson in 1960, where Stan resided for the remainder of his life.  He retired from the City of Nelson in 1992.  During his life in Nelson, Stan and Mable enjoyed square dancing for some 50+ years, beginning in the late 50’s until Mable’s passing in 2010.  He attended the Nelson United Church, with Mable, for many years.  With Mable by his side, he travelled to eastern Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and many places in the United States.  During his retirement, Stan loved golfing and curling, and was a member of the Granite Point Golf Club for almost 60 years.  He curled with the Nelson Seniors’ Curling group, in bonspiels throughout the Kootenays.  His “love of sport” continued right to the end of his life as he, and a partner, were named “Shuffleboard Champions” at Lake View Village in February 2023. 

Stan was known to many as a “real gentleman”.  His kindness, thoughtfulness of others, and generosity, will be remembered by many that knew him.  Stan was married to Mable for 55 years.  They had four children, Lynne (Jim) Burch, Kelly Donaldson (deceased), Dale (Michelle) Donaldson, and Rick (Shari) Donaldson.  Stan was blessed with seven grandchildren, Kelly Burch, David Burch, Alexander Donaldson, Kristen Donaldson, Casey Donaldson, Kaitlyn Donaldson, and Courtney Donaldson.  Stan also had 6 great-grandchildren, Briana Burch, Raya Burch, Aiden Burch, Mya Burch, Leia Burch and Cohen Burch.  He leaves behind nieces and nephews who adored him, his sister-in-law Dodie Donaldson, and one brother-in-law Don Hamilton, of Lethbridge, Alberta.  Stan was predeceased by his parents Laura and George Donaldson, his brother Herb Donaldson, his wife Mable, and son Kelly Donaldson.  The Donaldson family would like to thank Dr Kirsten, and the nursing staff in Kootenay Lake Hospital for their compassionate care during the final days of Stan’s life.  A celebration of Stan’s life will be held at a later date.  As an expression of sympathy, those who wish may make donations in Stan’s memory, to the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, #3 View Street, Nelson, BC, V1L 4M1.  

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd. 

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