Obituary of DONNA RYERSE

RYERSE, DONNA LEITH RYERSE, Donna Leith, died peacefully with her daughter by her side in West Vancouver, B.C. on July 25th, 2010. Donna was born in Bay Village, Ohio, on April 10, 1918 to William and Isabelle Whitnum. In 1940, she decided to move to Florida to make a life in warmer climes. She met her beloved husband Victor and moved due north across Lake Erie to Port Dover where she resided until 2001. Vic and his brother, Vern, were original owners of The Arbor. Donna and Vic were naturalists, avid bird watchers and eager amateur horticulturalists. They travelled extensively to such exotic locales as Machu Picchu, Peru, the Galapagos, Australia, Kuwait, and Greece. Donna was a lifetime member of the Norfolk General Hospital Women's Auxiliary, where she did flower arrangements and ordered for the gift shop. She was also a member of the Simcoe Pottery Club and created many well loved pieces of her blue and white spatterware pottery, which were once featured in Chatelaine magazine. She enjoyed curling, bridge, gardening, reading, dancing, and being with her family. She is survived by her cherished sister, Doris Mersbach of Pompton Plains, New Jersey, and her three children, Peter and his wife Margie Ionson of Hong Kong, Vicki and husband Jack Ryan of West Vancouver, B.C., and Cynthia and husband Robert Melton of Singapore. She was a wonderful mom. She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 3 p.m. in Port Dover Cemetery. Father Kendall Reimer officiating. For those wishing, donations to the Norfolk General Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to THOMPSON WATERS FUNERAL HOME, 519-583-1530. Online donations and/or condolences can be made at www.thompsonwatersfuneralhome.ca