Donna Sheryl Jones (66) of Vancouver died peacefully on July 9, 2024 in St. Paul’s Hospital. She was born on December 31, 1957 to parents Susan Cerney and Gordon Harold Jones. Donna attended John Oliver High School, was a BC Lions Cheerleader, and sang in a folk music trio for live audiences in Vancouver. She loved to sing and play her guitar. Later, she joined the Canadian Armed Forces and was transferred to a base in Eastern Canada where she served for approximately three years. After returning to Vancouver, Donna worked at White Spot for a year.
From childhood onward however, Donna endured many ongoing traumas which eventually led her to a life on the Downtown Eastside for over 30 years. She would frequently be outside Holy Rosary Cathedral where she met and got to know some of the regular parishioners. Donna was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings, including her identical twin sister Debra who went missing around Christmas 2000 with DNA found on the Pickton farm. This tragic event was a profound sadness in Donna’s life. She is survived by her son David Thomas Robert Jones.
Many thanks to all the doctors, nurses, and caregivers at St. Paul’s Hospital, as well as the very special people who cared for Donna over the years both at the Canada Hotel and 162 Main. Also, a special thank you to the volunteers who supported Donna from St. Mary’s Street Ministry and Catholic Street Missionaries Society.
A funeral mass for Donna will be held on September 12, 2024 at 10:00am at Holy Rosary Cathedral (corner of Dunsmuir and Richards Street, Downtown, Vancouver).