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Obituaries: Alexander; Donnelly; Mickle; Nightingale; Rivest; Silzer;

Donna Alexander September 13, 1960 - December 28, 2015 With great sadness we say goodbye to our mother, daughter, sister, nanna, aunt and friend. Donna Alexander was taken from us way too soon, after a short three-month battle with esophageal cancer.
Obituaries

Donna Alexander
September 13, 1960 - December 28, 2015

With great sadness we say goodbye to our mother, daughter, sister, nanna, aunt and friend. 

Donna Alexander was taken from us way too soon, after a short three-month battle with esophageal cancer. She passed away peacefully with her sister Val McNutt and brother-in-law Phil McNutt by her side at Nanaimo General Hospital.

Donna leaves behind her parents Lois (Ian) MacLean and Neil MacLean, sisters Val (Phil) McNutt, Cindy (Paul) Petroczi, Debbie MacLean (Rod Dillman) and Cathy MacLean, children Ryan (Kaity) Alexander and Christina (Mitchell) Glessing, her beloved grandbabies Taylor and Jaxon Glessing, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Donna was loved by many in her community, having met many friends through her job working for City of Powell River for many years. Through her battle she truly appreciated all the love and respect everyone showed her.

Thank you to everyone who was able to visit her and for all the kind messages sent; it meant the world to her.

We will miss you forever, Donna. There is now a hole in our hearts, once filled with joy of having you in our lives. Your presence we miss, your memories we treasure, loving you always, forgetting you never.

Donna’s service will be Saturday, February 13, at 1 pm at Dwight Hall.

Sometimes your heart needs more time to accept what your mind already knows.


Richard Frederick Donnelly

Dick passed away peacefully December 18, 2015. He will be missed by his sister Elaine, friend Marilyn, sister-in-law Doreen, niece Dorothy (Gary) and nephew Richard (Barbara).

Dick was predeceased by his brother Roy and niece Wendy. Dick’s family Kim, Courteney (Steve), Gerry, Kyla, Lauren, Bryce, Dominic and Jaden enjoyed his company. He had a peaceful and loving nature with a passion for the outdoors. Over his 85 years he worked for City of Powell River, was active in the Powell River Rod and Gun Club and enjoyed his time in the trails with the BOMB squad.

For the people who knew and loved Dick, please join us for a toast at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 164 on Saturday, January 16, from noon to 3 pm. Dick would be honoured by a donation to Salvation Army, the Legion or SPCA in lieu of flowers. A special thank you to Marilyn for your care and compassion for him.


Bob Mickle

Miner Bob Mickle has passed away at the age of 88. Bob touched many lives and left behind many people who loved him dearly.  
A celebration of life will follow at a later date.


Olof Sigurveig Nightingale (Johnson)
May 11, 1940 - December 23, 2015

Olof passed away peacefully at home after a lengthy illness. She was predeceased by her parents Oskar and Olga Johnson. Olof leaves to mourn her beloved husband Chris Nightingale of Powell River and sisters Bonnie Paetkau of Sechelt, Alda Grames of Halfmoon Bay and Heather Johnson of Vancouver. She was a caring, attentive aunt to 15, a great-aunt to 23 and a loyal sister-in-law to Wynne Nightingale (Andy), Jim (Julie) Nightingale, Leah Nightingale (Gary), Eric Paetkau and Gregory Kravec.

Olof was born in Eriksdale, Manitoba. The granddaughter of Icelandic immigrants, her first language was Icelandic. She grew up on a farm surrounded by her extended family, attended a one-room school and, as the second of four daughters, was introduced to outdoor chores at an early age. She was proficient on a tractor and horse-drawn equipment before she was 10. She was athletic and competitive, even to the point of playing baseball on the community boy’s team.

Olof finished high school in Hay River, NT, then taught for a year in Fort Simpson, NT, before returning to Manitoba to attend business college. She rejoined her family in Whitehorse, YT, where she worked for many years before finally pursuing her dream to become a proficient draughtsman. She later attended college in Anchorage, Alaska. In the early 1970s, Olof relocated to Vancouver where she met Chris and the two formed a loving partnership, which lasted for more than 40 years. They married in 1986. Olof was welcomed by the entire Nightingale family, who provided her with continuing emotional support and encouragement.

Olof and Chris moved to Powell River in 1978 and together built their charming and original home in Southview. She changed careers one more time and devoted several years of faithful service to Powell River General Hospital. Olof and Chris enjoyed many trips to Mexico and South America before her health prevented further travel. She was kind, artistic, passionate, creative and, most of all, great company. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at Cranberry Seniors Centre at 2 pm on Saturday, January 23. In Olof’s memory, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Powell River Food Bank.


Gaston Raymond Rivest   
September 10, 1935 - January 2, 2016

Gaston passed away suddenly at his Osoyoos, BC, home at the age of 80 years. He will be remembered by his loving family, including devoted wife Lucille, three sons Serge, Gilles and Denis and their families, brothers Real, Abel and Ernest and sisters Gisele and Gabrielle and their families.

Gaston and Lucille were married June 20, 1959, and moved to Powell River in 1965. After 30 years in Powell River, they settled in Osoyoos in November 1994. Gaston was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church.

A funeral mass was celebrated by Father Neil Lustado at 11 am, Friday, January 8, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Osoyoos. Interment and committal followed at Osoyoos Lakeview Cemetery.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting nunes-pottinger.com. Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium.


Rosaline Elinor Silzer (Dennison)
May 11, 1925 – December 21, 2015

It is with great sadness that we say farewell to Rose Silzer, who passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s hospital, December 21, 2015.

Rose was predeceased by her mother and father Minnie and William Dennison, two sisters Alice and Franceis Dennison, brother Ross, daughter Valerie and son Ross.

Rose is survived by relatives, extended family and many friends who loved her like family.

Rose was born in Denholm, Saskatchewan. She came to the west coast with her family in 1938. After living in several communities she settled in Powell River, where she married Alf Postill and raised her two children.

Rose thought she had the best job ever as a practical nurse. She worked in the Powell River General Hospital for 20 years. Rose spent some time in Abbotsford with her second husband Ed Silzer. After Ed passed away, she moved to the Comox Valley to be closer to her daughter Valerie.

Rose had many passions; gardening, traveling and entertaining.  She had a very caring nature and was truly at her happiest when she had people around her.

Rose will be sadly missed by her family, extended family and many wonderful friends.

A celebration of life/tea will be held January 16, 2016 at 1:30 pm at D’Esterre Senior Centre, 1801 Beaufort Avenue, Comox. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.