Donna-Lee Lester

We are saddened by the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, great auntie and friend, Donna-Lee Lester. She has always been a very private person when it comes to her health and her well-being, and never ever wanted anyone to worry about her. Donna was silently battling cancer and passed in the evening of Tuesday July 14th 2026 at the age of 74 years, surrounded by her loving family.

Donna was born on December 29th, 1951 in Vernon BC.  A Capricorn baby to Richard Franklin McCluskey of Vernon BC and to Joan Eunice May Wigg of Nelson BC. Donna was the youngest sibling to Rich, Deb, and Rob.

Donna’s Grandparents were pioneers of Vernon, so it only be fitting that she met her husband-to-be at the iconic Towne Theatre. Donna and Dale dated for 2 years, then Dale scooped her up and took her home to Saskatchewan where they married on January 30th, 1971. Donna raised her children for 10 years, then returned to the work force at Consumers Glass/O.I. Corp.

After retiring from her career of almost 30 years, she felt like she needed to do more to give back to her community. She spoke with a few others that volunteered in our community and decided to get her start at Vernon Jubilee hospital where she worked as a greeter and in mail delivery. She got to know the staff and greeted everyone with her kind words and a smile.   

Donna then found her calling to spread her kindness to the young students in our community and worked as a noon-hour supervisor at Coldstream Elementary, BX Elementary and until her retirement at Silver Star Elementary.  Donna had been seen as a positive mentor to the many students she saw every day.

Soon after, she jumped on board with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles where the organization raised funds to give back to the community. While there, she became their Chaplain, helped with catering many events, and was a presenter of awards and scholarships to many young aspiring students of School District 22.  

After the Covid-19 outbreak, Donna volunteered as a greeter at the vaccination clinic, using her re-assuring words to help many anxious people through the wait to have their shots. 

Donna had a short time with the seniors at the Schubert Center before choosing the Halina Center as her base of operations. Donna loved to help in the kitchen, advertise for up-coming events and assist anyone in need. Donna especially enjoyed helping out during the senior’s dance!

During the wildfires of 2021 and 2023, Donna had donated many hours, days, and sleepless nights to the Emergency Services Society with the City of Vernon when many people of British Columbia Interior were evacuated from their homes. Donna would effortlessly volunteer for 12 hours a day to ensure people of our area were well cared for. 

Among her many volunteer hours, she helped during the long hot days at the Funtastic Sports Society Slo-Pitch tournaments, at the BC Summer Games, the BC Winter Games, the Vernon Winter Carnival, the Performing Arts Society and sold 50/50 tickets at the Vipers games for the United Way.

Donna was a huge fan of sports, forever supporting her “Canadian teams” especially the Vernon Vipers, Toronto Blue Jays and Vancouver Canucks. You couldn’t pull her away from the Olympics or her children/grandchildren’s sports.

Donna is survived by her husband Dale, her children; Jay, Kevin (Bobby), and Carrie-Ann, her siblings Richard (Janet), Deborah (Timothy), and Robert (Wendy). Her Saskatchewan family; Janice Lester, Ted Lester (Eleanor Hope), Sandra Harder (Stan), and Melanie Marushechka (Patrick). “Nana” also had 9 grandchildren; Stephanie (Jesy), Richard, Paige (Ryland), Jade, Kenneth, Madisyn, Kristopher, Samantha and Izzabella, and two great-grandchildren, Ronan and Remy. Children of previous family relationships, Eric, Lucy, Mariah, Cassandra, Josiah, and Karmylah. Her many nieces, nephews, members of all the sports teams she watched, and many friends in the community.  She loved you all and you were all family to her!

As it was Donna’s wish to not have a service, we encourage all to host a spaghetti “feed”, raise a glass in her honor and speak of your fond memories of her.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-558-0866

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: