Obituaries
Donnison (née Knutson), Andrea
Andrea Donnison (née Knutson) died June 15, 2010 at the age of 44. Born in Regina, Andrea grew up there and in St. Albert, Alberta. Andrea was shy but a fun-loving person who loved the company of others. She was always a hard worker, even as a teenager. She pushed herself at both work and play. Andrea was captain of an award winning cheer-squad and won many awards in high school for her achievements. After high school, Andrea moved to Toronto with her first husband, Ken Donnison, and had a successful career as a paralegal at one of Canada’s largest law firms. In 1993, she divorced and moved west to Vancouver where she embarked on a new career path as an executive assistant. Andrea was always a helper, eager to please and very organized. She was a ‘giver’, a listener and a dedicated partner to her employers. These skills made her invaluable to everyone she worked with. After joining a group for newcomers to the city, Andrea met Blair Tweten. From the moment they met, they shared their lives together and many good times with friends and family. From white water rafting on the Fraser to diving in Hawaii, they were always on the move. This did not change with the birth of their first child, Natasha. Starting with the “Baby Bootie Tour of 1996” and camping when she was only six weeks old, Tasha became an avid traveler too. Natasha was the flower girl at their Maui wedding in December 1999. Eric was born in 2000 and the family was complete. They continued to travel as a family and loved camping or going to the beach. Andrea loved the water whether it was the seawall in Vancouver, an ocean beach or an interior lake. Andrea was a fabulous, fun, loving, giving and caring mother. Her kids were the focus of her life and her pride and joy. She loved talking to people and always making people laugh. Her humor, hospitality and warmth were appreciated by all. She was loved and will be greatly missed by so many people she touched in her life. Andrea is survived by her husband Blair, their children Natasha and Eric, sister Leanne Anderstedt, brother Bryon Milburn and her parents Bob & Gloria Milburn. A Memorial Service will be held for Andrea at Maple Ridge Funeral Chapel (Osborns) 11969-216th St, Maple Ridge, BC on Tuesday June 22 at 11:00AM. A reception will follow at the family home 19570-118B Ave, Pitt Meadows. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the local SPCA, buy a friend a flower, fill out an organ donation card, or do a good deed. Andrea would have loved any of those.
