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Donelda Parker

August 16th, 1936 - October 20th, 2022
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Donelda Joan Parker (nee Knight), born in Meaford ON, passed peacefully at her home in Vancouver BC, with family at her side, on October 20, 2022 at the age of 86.

Donelda earned a Master’s degree in Nursing, and in addition to her clinical work, she shared her knowledge through teaching and research in university and hospital settings in Canada and abroad. Over her long and satisfying career, she held faculty positions at the University of British Columbia and University of Alberta, Australia Advanced Education College in Canberra, and Guru Nanak College of Nursing in Punjab, India, and served as Acting Principal at the Church of England Mission Hospital School of Nursing in Wusasa, Nigeria.

Raised in a musical family, Donelda studied piano in her youth and maintained a lifelong passion for classical music as a listener, chorister and accompanist. Her creativity extended to a variety of needlecrafts, and she was a prolific seamstress. Always full of energy and movement, Donelda enjoyed walking, cycling, badminton, and gardening, fueled by a daily scoop (or two) of ice cream. Donelda was an active member of every church community to which she belonged, especially that of Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver, whose commitment to fellowship, inclusiveness, and social outreach was dear to her heart. She took on many leadership roles, but equally embraced opportunities to deepen her faith through book and bible study groups.

Donelda will be missed and remembered not only as an accomplished individual, but as a loving and supportive parent and grandparent.

Donelda leaves behind her two children, Mark Ellis and Niko Knight; two grandchildren, Alistair Kornelsen (Alison) and Matthew Ellis; brother Allan Knight (Jane) and sister Geraldine Kunica (Richard), and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter Parker, and her grandson, Isaak Kornelsen.


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Peter Elliott
October 22nd, 2022

I was deeply saddened to learn of Donelda's death. Through my years as Dean of Christ Church Cathedral (1994-2019) Donelda was a faithful parishioner, deeply involved in the life and ministry of the Cathedral and very supportive to me. She sang in the choir for many years, and then took on a variety of senior leadership roles within the Cathedral parish--always being faithful in worship and continuing her own spiritual growth as a Christian. It was a privilege to be the officiant a her and Walter's wedding and we enjoyed many lovely evenings in their home. Her death came as a shock; sending love and condolences to her family who she loved so deeply. Please let me know if there will be a service to pray her gently home. Kindest regards and deepest sympathies. pge

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