DONNA PALMER SPACKMAN, beloved wife of the late Dr. Roy R Spackman passed away peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020, in Cardston, Alberta at the age of 91.
Donna will be greatly missed by her six children: Wendy (Michael) Johnson of Rochester, Minnesota; Leslie (Ken) Rodgers of Lethbridge; Debra (Duane) French of Cardston; James (Shelly) Spackman of Burley, Idaho; Andrea Spackman of Lethbridge; and Christine (Garry) Fox of Cardston; 24 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and one sister Deanie (Garry) Ursenbach, and sister-in-law Dori (Mel) Spackman. She is predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brothers Monte (Jean) Palmer, Bud (Jessie) Palmer, and her twin sister.
Donna and her twin sister Mona were born January 13, 1929, in Raymond, Alberta to Leslie Larson Palmer and Florelle Love Palmer. She was raised in Raymond and attended the University of Alberta where she became a teacher, which started her pattern of lifelong learning. She married Roy Spackman on September 1, 1949 in the Cardston temple and moved to Cardston where he set up his medical practice and they started their family.
Donna was a loving and gracious person who made a lasting impact on her family and all who knew her. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was a brilliant example of life-long learning and leadership. She served with Roy in the Ontario-Quebec mission, in the Young Women’s organization, in the Primary, as the Stake Relief Society President, and later as the matron of the Cardston temple. She also served the community on the school board, and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Waterton, where she owned a business. She enjoyed travelling, and had the opportunity to visit Europe, Israel, and Africa.
Donna and Roy purchased a cabin in Waterton where she spent her summers. She enjoyed having her siblings visit her in Waterton during the summer. Donna lived life by the words to the song, “Love is Spoken Here,” which she embroidered and hung by the cabin door to remind those who visited of the love she modeled. Donna was passionate about the beauty of nature and found happiness teaching her grandchildren how to identify plants and wildflowers. She passed her love of hiking to her family and found endless joy being in the mountains.
Donna was an avid athlete and won several swimming medals at the World Seniors’ Games. She loved swimming, and taught several of her grandchildren to swim. She was also a gifted artist and shared her painting skills with her family.
Donna was an amazing mother and grandmother. Each of her children and grandchildren knew how deeply they were loved. She listened to all their joys and woes, and every one of them knew she was their biggest fan.
The family would like offer special thanks to Dr. Brian Low and all the Lee Crest staff, for their loving support and care.
Due to Covid restrictions, a family funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in the Cardston cemetery.
To Send the Family a Condolence please CLICK HERE.
To WATCH the Funeral Service please CLICK HERE.
Donna will be greatly missed by her six children: Wendy (Michael) Johnson of Rochester, Minnesota; Leslie (Ken) Rodgers of Lethbridge; Debra (Duane) French of Cardston; James (Shelly) Spackman of Burley, Idaho; Andrea Spackman of Lethbridge; and Christine (Garry) Fox of Cardston; 24 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and one sister Deanie (Garry) Ursenbach, and sister-in-law Dori (Mel) Spackman. She is predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brothers Monte (Jean) Palmer, Bud (Jessie) Palmer, and her twin sister.
Donna and her twin sister Mona were born January 13, 1929, in Raymond, Alberta to Leslie Larson Palmer and Florelle Love Palmer. She was raised in Raymond and attended the University of Alberta where she became a teacher, which started her pattern of lifelong learning. She married Roy Spackman on September 1, 1949 in the Cardston temple and moved to Cardston where he set up his medical practice and they started their family.
Donna was a loving and gracious person who made a lasting impact on her family and all who knew her. She was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was a brilliant example of life-long learning and leadership. She served with Roy in the Ontario-Quebec mission, in the Young Women’s organization, in the Primary, as the Stake Relief Society President, and later as the matron of the Cardston temple. She also served the community on the school board, and was a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Waterton, where she owned a business. She enjoyed travelling, and had the opportunity to visit Europe, Israel, and Africa.
Donna and Roy purchased a cabin in Waterton where she spent her summers. She enjoyed having her siblings visit her in Waterton during the summer. Donna lived life by the words to the song, “Love is Spoken Here,” which she embroidered and hung by the cabin door to remind those who visited of the love she modeled. Donna was passionate about the beauty of nature and found happiness teaching her grandchildren how to identify plants and wildflowers. She passed her love of hiking to her family and found endless joy being in the mountains.
Donna was an avid athlete and won several swimming medals at the World Seniors’ Games. She loved swimming, and taught several of her grandchildren to swim. She was also a gifted artist and shared her painting skills with her family.
Donna was an amazing mother and grandmother. Each of her children and grandchildren knew how deeply they were loved. She listened to all their joys and woes, and every one of them knew she was their biggest fan.
The family would like offer special thanks to Dr. Brian Low and all the Lee Crest staff, for their loving support and care.
Due to Covid restrictions, a family funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in the Cardston cemetery.
To Send the Family a Condolence please CLICK HERE.
To WATCH the Funeral Service please CLICK HERE.