Obituary of Helga Donkers

Peacefully and surrounded by family at home, Helga Donkers (née Seidel) passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 in her 80th year. Beloved wife of the late Ted Donkers for 57 years. Loved mother of Martin (Kathy), Leanne (Ray), and Lennard (Sue). Loved by many grandchildren. Survived by her brother-in-laws Cor and John in Holland. Tante Helga will be sadly missed by all her nieces and nephews as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews in Holland. Predeceased by her parents Arthur and Marianne Seidel, and her brother Arthur. Helga was born in Kleinheubach, Germany on January 19, 1945. Helga emigrated to Canada as a child eventually settling with her family in the Sudbury area. She moved to London to study nursing and this was where she met a young Ted who would be the love of her life. Together they worked to build a farming business and family. In later years, Helga became an avid traveller and had many, many adventures with the Cruise Ladies. Beach days and afternoons playing cards were also popular. Above all Helga was a kind and generous soul, both with her time and affection. Helga lived life to the end. Her passions were her family, fishing, camping, maintaining her gardens and her cats. In her final months she travelled to many of her favourite places like the Caribbean, Sudbury, Niagara Falls and of course the casinos. She enjoyed her visits with friends and even took a couple of daredevil rides in her final days. She took the wheel of a military Hummer for a little off-roading fun and even took a few rounds on her lawnmower the day before she passed. She was a tough one and went out strong giving us her last mother's life lesson... to stay strong and to live life strong! She was never one for funeral visitations and in lieu of that she suggested doing something personal in honour of her memory… plant something, raise your favourite drink in a toast to her, have a meal in her memory, think of her while sitting around a campfire or watching a sunset. She will leave that up to you. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Terry Fox Foundation or the charity of your choice. Special thanks to Suellen Larsen for her outstanding care.