Donovan, Valerie Marlene

Donovan, Valerie Marlene

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January 24, 1940 – November 26, 2025
at the age of 85 years;     

A funeral service to celebrate Val’s life will be held at St. John’s Church, 170 Shuswap St S, Salmon Arm, BC, on January 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend.

Valerie Malene Donovan (née Carnahan) passed away peacefully at Salmon Arm Hospital on November 26, 2025, at the age of 85.

Born in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan on January 24, 1940, Val’s life was filled with adventure, resilience, and love. She moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where she married Clayton Munz and together they raised three children: Cameron (1960–1977), Robin (1961–2022), and Melody (1962–present). In 1964, the family relocated to Southern California, spending nine memorable years before returning to Winnipeg in 1973.

In 1980, Val moved to Alberta, where she met and married Richard Lenz. She built a successful career as a paralegal and later as an administrator at Concordia University. Upon retiring in 2005, she settled in the Shuswap, becoming a beloved fixture in the Anglemont community. Val embraced life in the Shuswap wholeheartedly, participating in local events such as the Pig and Whistle, joining fun acting groups, golfing, and enjoying the beauty of the region.

Her faith was central to her life. As an active member of St. David’s Church in Celista, Val served for many years as a lay minister. It was there she met John Donovan, the church’s “handy man,” who became the love of her life. They married in 2013 and shared many joyful years together.

Val is predeceased by her brothers and sisters Frank, Arthur, Arlene, and Beryl, as well as her children Cameron and Robin. She leaves behind her devoted husband John Donovan, her daughter Melody Munz and husband Zbynek, her grandson Shane Sutherland (wife Tiane Rhett), her granddaughter Stefanie Sutherland, and her son-in-law Gary Couronne.

Val’s legacy is one of kindness, community spirit, and unwavering love for her family. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A funeral service to celebrate Val’s life will be held at St. John’s Church, 170 Shuswap St S, Salmon Arm, BC, on January 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are welcome to attend.

Boyko, Mildred “Mickie”

Boyko, Mildred “Mickie”

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July 11, 1935 – November 26, 2025
at the age of 90 years:     

Mildred (Mickie) Boyko (nee Herbert), of Vernon, B.C., went to be with her Lord on November 26, 2025 at the age of 90 years.

Mickie leaves to mourn her husband of 67 years, Donald Boyko, her children Robert (Donna) Boyko, Kelly Edgecombe, and Scott (Eva) Boyko, along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her older sister, Dixie Allaway.

Born in Plamondon, Alberta on July 11, 1935, Mickie grew up in the Gadsby/Stettler area, along with her sister Dixie, and cousins Dawn and Terry Rushton. After graduation, she worked at her father’s business, Menzies and Herbert Sash and Door in Red Deer.  Mickie and her cousin Dawn decided to try something different and headed to Kitimat in northern B.C.  as part of a work/travel experience. The experience was cut somewhat short as they met their future husbands.  They were married in a double wedding ceremony in Stettler, on December 27, 1957.

Mickie and Don began their married life in Red Deer, where they had 3 children, Bob, Kelly and Scott.  In the mid-sixties they decided to venture west and eventually settled in Vernon, B.C. Mickie had a successful work life and was appreciated for her skills as bookkeeper/office manager. Her last job was with Fisher’s Hardware which she held into her 70’s, and she came to see the Fishers as family.

Family was very important to Mickie, and her support and love had a profound impact on her family. Although she rarely ventured far from home, Mickie was always up for an adventure if it meant she could visit her kids and grandkids.

Mickie loved her Lord and Saviour her entire life. She had an excellent singing voice, and even though it got harder to share her thoughts as she aged, she could still produce beautiful harmonies as she sang along with her gospel CDs.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at both Silver Springs Seniors Community and Polson Extended Long-term Care for nurturing and caring for Mickie in her final years.

Mickie had a great capacity to love and brought something special to every relationship. We are grateful, and she is missed.

A small family memorial will be held in the new year.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer Society of either British Columbia or Alberta.