Donna Jean Petch (May 6, 1962 - November 10, 2020) It is with a sense of disbelief and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Donna Jean Petch (born Donna Cross) in Kelowna on November 10, 2020 at the age of 58. One so full of life is suddenly gone from amongst us and is already greatly missed. Donna will forever be lovingly remembered by her husband Malcolm and her children Zachariah (Jélene), Moriah (Hayden) and Bethany. One of Donna’s most heartfelt joys was that she was able to be “Lolli” to all three of her grandchildren, Zach and Jay’s daughter Violet and son Jude, and Moriah and Hayden’s daughter Magnolia, and that she was able to spend extended time with each of her children and grandchildren during her time in Hospice House, saying “I love you” to each of them right to the very end. Donna will also be missed greatly and lovingly remembered by her brother Stephen (Patti) Cross, her brother Rob Cross, and her twin sister Barb Tasker. Donna loved people well and deeply, and her nieces Ashleigh and Katie and nephew Nate, children of her sister Barb, were always close to her heart. One of our treasured memories as a family will always be Donna’s love for Christmas and the way she did everything she could to gather all of us together over the holidays whenever possible (although pictures of the whole clan in matching pyjamas will be kept private). Donna’s ability to love people well and deeply found a natural and skilled outlet in her work as a pastor at New Life Church. In her 21 years on staff she became a champion of hope and joy, lifting virtually everyone with whom she came into contact to a stronger place in their relationships with others, whether that was in their marriage, in their roles as parents, or simply in day-to-day life relating to one another. She had a knack for developing deep and lasting connection with young women who came into her life, and an amazing way of becoming good friends with young couples she worked with in pre-marital prep, either on her own or with Malcolm. The number of young ladies and men across the city (and indeed around the world) who consider Donna as having been a loving mother in their lives is almost beyond counting. Donna loved building teams and helping leaders develop - and was very good at it - and treasured working with different leaders over the years in helping all of us know better how to be powerful and free. Ultimately it was her own children and grandchildren who held the territory most central in Donna’s heart and mind. Several times in her last weeks on earth, as she and Malcolm rested together in hospital after a visit from their children, the two of them revelled in the awareness that, of everything that they had built or spent time on in their life together, these dear ones, their children and grandchildren, were their ultimate and most long-lasting legacy. Donna loved her husband and family dearly. Donna Jean Petch lived out, every day, the words to one of the songs that became so meaningful to her over the past few months: “I love you, Lord; you have led me through the fire. And in darkest night, you are close like no other. I’ve known you as a Father; I’ve known you as a Friend; and I have lived in the goodness of God. All my life you have been faithful; all my life you have been so, so good! With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God; I will sing of the goodness of God.” And she did, right to the end. A memorial and tribute service to the life of Donna Petch will be held on Saturday, November 21st, at 2:00pm and will be live streamed to allow as many people as possible to connect and show their respects. Please let us know you’d like to be part of this by nabbing a free ticket at the EventBrite link here so we can send you the streaming link when it is available. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/donna-petch-memorial-tickets-129103725719