Donnelly: Dickson Victoria Davidson (Dinny) Donnelly passed away peacefully with family by her side on May 24, 1999, the birthdate of her namesake Queen Victoria. She had been under competent and compassionate care of the staff at Hillcrest Place, Brandon for the last four years. Born at the turn of the century to Florence and George Dinwoody, a farm equipment dealer in Neepawa, Dinny was the survivor of two children. As a young woman, she was one of few in those times to attend university and after her degree at the University of Manitoba, she filled a position with Great West Life in Winnipeg. Possessing an adventuresome spirit, she remembers trips to Kenora, ON and a memorable escape up Lake Winnipeg to Norway House on an early steamer and stopping at Grand Rapids for a guided tour through the area in a rail gravel cart, petticoats be darned! In 1947 she married J.H.(Jack) Donnelly of Brandon and settled at 428 - 22nd Street. She and her husband were active in community affairs and in the social life at that time. She was with the Mardi Club and both were parishoners and attendants with long standing service at St. Matthew's Cathedral. Both enjoyed golf at the Brandon Golf and Country Club of which Jack was a founding member. This sport was continued in the golf circles of Harlingen Texas during many winters spent there. Important to her were her friends met through committees, auxiliaries, and bridge clubs and in later years this fellowship was sustained through a group of "Girls" who met each Monday for lunch at Embers. These tried and true friends proved crucial for Dinny: their meetings helped her retain some balance and connections to the outer world as hers grew without features in sight and sound. She enjoyed the outdoors above all - a picnic could be produced at the drop of a hat, so she was a joyous companion to Jack on his fishing and hunting trips, BUT "I'll cook your ducks, but I won't eat the darn things!" Dinny loved life, music, art and literature. She had a thirst for knowledge and explored politics, university life, world affairs and the human condition, all through the magazines and periodicals that she subscribed to. In recent months, she explored with much enthusiasm through speech and imagination the capacity, the world reaching power of the computer as drawn for her in conversations with her granddaughter. Confined to her room by afflictions, she could be found in her favorite chair engrossed in "As It Happens" or the CBC News on her radio and would confront often uninformed visitors for opinions on the UN's involvement in Africa or the present price of gas and any subject in between. Even with her physical problems she was cheery and interested in the family and the world. In her early years she was an excellent hostess important for a husband of some standing in community and in later years and afflicted with her disabilities would apologize to visitors for not having a biscuit or cup of tea to serve them. A true LADY both in demean and nature was our Dinny. Although a step-mother/grandmother she filled the position with patience, tact, and understanding. Many small trips were made by many small feet to "Dinny's house" for cookies or tarts and a chat. Dinny was predeceased by: Husband, John Henry Donnelly; stepdaughter, Eleanor June McKinney (McMullan); sons-in-law: John Meisner, Homer Brown and Bob McMullan. Step-children left to celebrate Dinny's memory: daughter, Norma Doreen Meisner of Ottawa; son, John (Jack) Russell (Marjorie) Donnelly of Brandon; grandchildren: Clark (Debora) Donnelly of Elora, ON, Joy (Bob) Hamilton, Patrick (Patricia) Donnelly of St. Mary's, ON, Chris (Danette) Donnelly, Don (Lynn) Meisner of Toronto, ON, Deborah (David) Shestalo of Carp, ON, Patricia (Harvey) Hueter of Texas, Eleanor (Bill) Jeffers of Los Angeles, Janet (Stan) Johnston, Grant (Teresa) McMullan, Kathy (Ron) Brown. There are 25 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. She also leaves her long time and loyal friend Joyce Holland. The ceremony to celebrate Dinny's life will be held at St. Matthew's Cathedral on Friday, May 28, 1999 at 1:00 p.m. with the Very Rev. Jim Njegovan officiating. Interment will be in the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Dinny may be made to a charity of choice. Arrangements are with Memories Chapel and Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.