December 15, 1939 – July 20, 2025
After a courageous battle with cancer, Donna Marion Belec (née Brown) passed away peacefully on July 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 85.
Donna was predeceased by her mother Mabel Carroll, brother Daniel Carroll, sister Betty Gomm (Arthur), and in-laws Margaret and Louis Belec.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of 67 years, Lawrence, with whom she built a life filled with love and laughter after he famously "stole" her mitten in their youth. Together they raised three sons: Mark (Peggy) of Thunder Bay, Michael (Rachelle) of Winnipeg, and David (Taina) of Lively. Her legacy continues through six cherished grandchildren: Tyler of Terrace Bay, Travis (Rebecca) of Sudbury, Kaija of Toronto, Hillary (Jordan) of Winnipeg, Kari (Meg) of Toronto, and Hannah of Winnipeg.
She is also survived by sister-in-law Marcelle Hayduk (Stanley), brothers-in-law Leonard (Angela) and Paul (Pauline), and many beloved nieces, nephews, and godchildren.
Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Donna moved to Garson, Ontario at age 11, where her life's journey truly began. She became a cornerstone of her communities in Onaping, Levack, Capreol, and French River. For decades, Donna touched countless lives through her career at the dental office of Dr. Ronald Andrews and Dr. Austin Andrews, where patients remember her for her exceptional warmth and care.
Donna was the quintessential hockey and ski mom, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to her sons' activities. Her home was a haven where all were welcome. She had a gift for making everyone feel like family, often whipping up meals at a moment's notice for whoever gathered around her table. Her hands were rarely idle; she was renowned for her quilts, preserves, peanut butter balls, dinner parties, paintings, and knitted wares. Many of her creations featured tartan patterns, a loving nod to her Nova Scotian heritage and her enduring love of bagpipes and the ocean.
Her commitment to community shone through her active involvement in Girl Guides, the Red Hat Society, and local quilting, art, and sewing clubs. Donna's generosity of spirit, creative talents, and genuine care for others left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to dear friends Lise and Joanne, Father Robert Bourgon, Dr. St. Onge, Tamara DiPietro and her team on 7N at Health Sciences North, and the staff at Maison McCulloch Hospice for their exceptional support and care during Donna's final days. A celebration of Donna's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Maison McCulloch Hospice in Donna's memory.
To Lawrence, Mark, Mike and David, and families,
We offer our sincere condolences, and we are very sorry for your loss.
The Onaping Hickey’s
August 13, 2025
To Lawrence, Mark, Mike, David and families; our sincere condolences in the loss of a dear wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and friend! May the memories you have of her be forever cherished and help get you through tomorrow!
July 24, 2025
Condolences to Mark and the Belec family. So very sorry for your loss ❤️
July 23, 2025
Condolences to the Mark and the family ❤️🩹
July 23, 2025
Dear Mark and family
Sincerest condolences on the loss of your mother and centre of your family. She will be sorely missed by all of you.
May your memories comfort you at this time of loss.
Thinking of you all.
Cindy and John
July 23, 2025
Dearest Louie, Mark , Michael, David and family !
Our deepest thoughts, prayers & sympathies are with you during this
time !
Donna was our neighbour for many years while living in Onaping and we have a lot of cherished memories but too many to share !
Donna is now in heaven and was warmly greeted by the angels at the Pearly Gates !
God Bless you Donna as you will be missed !
July 23, 2025
Our deepest condolences to the Belec family, so sorry for your loss ❤️
July 23, 2025
To the Belec family and friends – to all I say Thank you for sharing such a marvellous woman with me for so many years. I have been blessed in many ways, I have grown as a person and I have had it drilled into me that I matter by your loved one. Her confidance building skills were done with so much love and care. Always there to boost you up, so happy to share her stories of the kids and grandkids, always paying attention to what was important to you, such a proud wife, mother/grandmother. You are all so special to her and Lawrence, don’t ever forget that. The love she bestowed on us will always remain strong as that is who she was a strong, beautiful, wife, friend, mother, grandmother. She left us all with goodness in our hearts and happy memories. Thank you Donna and Lawrence for everything you shared, and to all of you, take care of yourselves, your families, friends and those that feel like family. I hope to see you all again. Love all of you. Miss you Donna. Will see you in the porch for tea at some time in the future.
July 22, 2025
It was a honour to have been your friend, even though it was for a short time. I will always cherish the time that we spent together and the laughs we shared. You are truly a beautiful lady inside and out. To all the Belec and Brown family I am sending my heart felt condolences as we all know she was an exceptional lady. She touched many hearts and for that we hold her and her family in our prayers. You will be greatly missed.
July 22, 2025
My sincere condolences to the Belec and extended families.
We shared many good times over the years spent in Onaping.
I include in our thoughts, my daughter Nicole Guido and son Paul Gougeon,
Barbara Petkovich (Gougeon)
July 22, 2025
What a privilege it was to be your granddaughter.
You showed me what true commitment and generosity toward a community look like through your years with the Girl Guides, the Red Hat Society, and as the ‘First Lady’ of Pioneer Domain Park. I aspire to be as involved in my community as you were in yours.
Through you, I witnessed what everlasting love really means. What I wouldn’t give to hear once more about how Grandpa stole your mitten when you were both just 11 years old and how, from that moment on, you never left each other’s side.
I’ll always remember the taste of your strawberry jam, peanut butter balls, almond bark, and “Great Grandma” salad.
I can still hear you singing the ‘Tiny Tim’ song and retelling funny family stories, like when my dad dropped a bag of flour down the stairs and was covered from head to toe.
Your incredible talents live on through the quilt on my bed, the mittens on my hands, the toque on my head, and the paintings on my walls. Each one holds a piece of you and memories I’ll carry with me forever.
One of the greatest honours of my life was spending your final days with you, caring for you as you once cared for your children, your grandchildren, and so many others. Even as illness crept in, your spirit, wit, hawk-like hearing, and commitment to Grandpa’s well-being never wavered.
Your last words to me were, “Be brave, Hannah.” And because of you, because of the way you lived with endless resilience, I’ve learned what it means to be brave. I promise you, Grandma, I will be.
It’s hard to imagine life without your hugs, your voice, and your laugh. I already miss your daily “good morning” texts. I will miss telling you all my stories, life updates, and the little things you always cared about.
But I find comfort in knowing you’re up there, watching over us, with your mother, your sister, your brother, and so many beloved family, friends, and pets.
Until we meet again, I’ll hold you close in everything I do
July 22, 2025
On behalf of the Watkinson family, we send our condolences to Lawrence, Mark, Michael, David and their families. Many fond memories have been shared and cherished between our two families. “Auntie Donna”, will be missed.
July 22, 2025