Kevin Edward Donald

Kevin Edward Donald, late of Weyburn, SK passed away November 8, 2020 at the age of 54 years.

He was predeceased by his father Marvin Donald; father-in-law Milan Marjanovic; numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. 

He leaves to mourn his loving wife Debbie Donald, McTaggart, SK;  one son Andrew James Donald, McTaggart, SK; one daughter Megan (Robert Day) Donald, Chilliwack, BC; two grandchildren, Isaac and Aubrey Day; his mother, Willa-Mae Donald (Howard Wickstrom), Weyburn, SK; Chilliwack, BC; one sister Charlene Donald Rivard, Invemere, BC; mother-in-law, Barbara Marjanovic, Calgary, AB; one sister-in-law Barbara (Hany) Shenouda, Calgary, AB; five nephews, one niece and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins as well as his birth mother's family who have supported us since 2000.

Kevin was many things to many people but to us he was our best friend.  Kevin, even in his greatest struggles with cancer was never concerned about himself, just his family being left behind and how we would cope. He had so much to give to the world, it will never be the same without him.

Kevin Edward Donald “Ducky” was born on March 12, 1966 in Regina, SK.   He was adopted when he was 2 months old to Willa-Mae and Marvin Donald and was lucky enough to have a second father later in life with Howard Wickstrom.  He passed away November 8, 2020  in Weyburn with family by his side at the young age of 54 years.

Kevin grew up in the moving business, his father owned and operated Donald Moving and Storage in Weyburn. When Kevin became old enough, he started to work in the family business, helping out during summer holidays and on weekends until he obtained his 1 – A Semi license at 18 years of age and set off driving it for the first time through downtown Calgary.  He went on to Kelsey Institute to become a machinist and although he only worked a short while in the industry he used his skills in his shop at home for the remainder of his life.  From there he continued to work for Donald Moving until he married and had his first child Megan Donald in 1986.

It wasn't until 1987 Kevin met Debbie on a chance meeting in Calgary and three years later she was accepted into nursing in Regina and started attending in the fall of 1990.  It was on March 12, 1990 that Kevin was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and went through two sessions of cobalt radiation treatments.  At that time, full body radiation was the protocol.  He was so sick, lost so much weight and struggled through radiation burns but by the time they began living together he was starting to recover.

Debbie went on with her studies and Kevin worked at the business with his father until late in 1992 when his father became ill and by February 17, 1993 Marvin had passed away.  Kevin started to run the business but  unfortunately soon became ill once again that spring with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This time it was more invasive and chemo was the choice of treatments.  He continued to receive chemo treatments all that year and they planned for their wedding.  On March 12, 1994 Kevin and Debbie married, he was still in treatments and had severe back pain, fatigue and numerous other side effects but they managed. 

Once he was recovered he went back to work and Debbie worked as a nurse.  They had a few good years, even managed to travel a bit in Canada and the US together. In 1998 he fell ill and was diagnosed once again with Hodgkins Lymphoma. This time it was in his bone marrow and the only option was a new treatment in Saskatoon called a Stem Cell Transplant.  He was told he had a 50/50 chance of surviving as it was a “Cure or Kill”, so he went to Saskatoon and with the help of family was able to get through the painful treatment.  We were blessed to have the next 15 years without major issues.  We were able to go on a trip to Cuba, got pregnant and  had a beautiful baby boy and  as a family went on several trips in Canada and the US. 

Kevin owned and operated Donald Moving and Storage until 2000 when he had to sell it due to his on going health concerns.  He continued to work at home while raising our son, and yes,  you heard that right, he raised our son while I went to work.  To tell you the truth he did a damn good job too except for a few trips to the ER but for the most part Andrew turned out to be a respectful, loving young man with many talents just like his father.  Kevin had numerous hobbies some of which were, building HO scale train sets and running them. His latest train set could not be completed but he enjoyed every minute he had creating it.  He also restored vintage and sports cars and dreamed of getting another project car to work on with his son.  He didn't know a lot about carpentry but he designed and built our house with such precision.  He enjoyed being a member of the Saskatchewan Knife Makers Guild serving on the executive for a time.  He belonged to the Weyburn Gun Club and enjoyed target shooting when he was able.  In my eyes he could and would be able to do anything.  He never disappointed me and always tried so hard for his family as they were the only thing he loved in this world.

If all that wasn't enough for him he became Mayor of McTaggart even though he wasn't sure he could do it but with two of his trusted council by his side he was in my opinion the best Mayor any village could have.  Anyone could call him up and ask for his help. Many times he would go out in the snow storms and pull people out of the ditch or other projects in the village he didn't have to do.  He wanted nothing in return, just respect. Most gave that to him but there are always a few that never did.  He was a perfectionist and wanted to please everyone, that didn't always make for an easy time as Mayor. 

In 2015 after having numerous cardiac issues, Kevin underwent a valve replacement.  Following this procedure it seemed his lungs started to decline as well as his stamina.  In the spring of 2018 he was diagnosed with lung cancer which was devastating to us since he had been cancer free for so many years.  He also hadn't smoked since the early 90's so we were not sure why.  Turned out to be the full body radiation he had in 1990.  So once again he was having chemo treatments followed by radiation, this time targeted as they have improved greatly and then a liver ablation as it had metastasized.  He ended up having one more ablation and immune therapy before the cancer came back on his liver.  He received one treatment of chemo to try and keep it from spreading and passed away very shortly after.

Many do not know this but Kevin managed to do all of the things he did such as, completing High School, completing machining, running a business and caring for a family and was very dyslexic.  He struggled but he never showed it just like through his cancer everyone always said, “but he looks so good and is so positive, you would never know he was sick”. 

Kevin, you are our heart and soul and will be missed so greatly but we will continue on and make you proud.  We love you, until we meet again my love.

At family’s request, there will be no formal funeral service held.

For family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Kevin may be made to the Allan Blair Cancer Clinic, 4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK, S4T 7T1.

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