On September 11, 2024 Donna went for an afternoon walk in the sunshine with her sweetheart of 66 years, and she found her way to heaven.  She passed away peacefully in her wheelchair on the walk back to the care home.

Donna May Ryder was born in Fort St John BC, May 29, 1944 to Jack and Lorna McDonald, the middle sibling between sisters Connie Shortt and Lorraine Davis. She met Keith Ryder as a teenager and the two eventually married and started their family in 1965. In 1967 the young family moved to Mackenzie, BC where Donna worked as a hairdresser and a homemaker. After many wonderful years in Mackenzie, Chetwynd and Fort Nelson the family returned to Fort St John in 1983. Donna bought a salon in the Co-op Mall and eventually opened a Cutting Edge School of Beauty where she trained up a new generation of hairdressers.

Donna was a people person, and the Ryder family dinner table was always surrounded by family, friends and sometimes strangers who just needed a home cooked meal and some friendly conversation.

“One thing mom (Donna) taught all of us, and really everyone she came into contact with, is how to love people.”

Donna used her talents as a hairstylist and her love of people to bless residents at the Lutheran, Heritage and eventually Peace Villa Care Home as well, before retiring in 2018.

She spent her final years as a resident at Peace Villa Care Home and the family would like to express their love and appreciation for the staff there who are a blessing each day.

Donna is survived by her husband Keith Ryder, sons Brent (Merlita) and Michael (Donna) Ryder and daughter Laurel (John) Simpson as well as 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

There will be a Celebration of Life held Friday September 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Christian Life Center in Fort St. John.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Fort St John Hospital Foundation to the Peace Villa Fund in memory of Donna M Ryder - Click Here to donate.