Donna Sheryl Jones (66) of Vancouver died peacefully on July 9, 2024 in St. Paul’s Hospital. She was born on December 31, 1957 with her twin sister Debra Lynne Jones to parents Susan Cerney and Gordon Harold Jones.
Donna and Debra grew up in the South Fraser neighborhood of Vancouver where they were both baptized at Saint Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church on July 19, 1958. They attended John Oliver High School, were majorettes with the BC Lions Cheerleaders, and sang in a folk music trio for live audiences in Vancouver. Later, Donna joined the Canadian Armed Forces and was transferred to a base in Eastern Canada where she served for approximately three years.
From childhood onward however, Donna and Debra endured many ongoing traumas which eventually led them to a life of addiction on the Downtown Eastside. Debra went missing around Christmas 2000 with DNA found on the Pickton farm. This tragic event was a profound sadness in Donna’s life. Donna would frequently be outside Holy Rosary Cathedral where she met and got to know some of the regular parishioners. She constantly shared what she had with others, and many times was a real support to others living on the Downtown Eastside.
Donna was preceded in death by her parents and four siblings, including her identical twin sister Debra. 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).