DONNA SHIRLEY BACH

DONNA SHIRLEY BACH October 5, 1936 – July 29, 2023 With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved mother and Oma, Donna Bach (86). She was Klaus’ cherished wife and partner for over 52 years; beloved mother of Andreas (Lianne) and Stefanie (Lewis), and special Oma to Markus (Derica), Rebecca (Pietro) and Georgia. Donna was born in New Brunswick and later moved to Toronto, where she met and married Klaus. She embraced his heritage, learning German and speaking it fluently to his family. Together they raised two children and lived an entrepreneurial life; opening the first waterbed store in Toronto, Here and Now Environments and later moving to Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island, where they built their own passive solar house and opened the first International Health and Bulk Food store in Northern Ontario, The Island Pantry. Donna and Klaus also travelled frequently visiting family in New Brunswick and Germany, as well as Canada, Europe, USA, and New Zealand, making many dear long-time friends along the way. Donna held all her family close to her heart, often sharing fond stories of her life growing up in Moncton, New Brunswick and later in Toronto. Each story often centred on her family; her sisters Janice and Judith, having fun together singing or at the ocean, or perhaps the story was of her brothers, Jack and Darryl, usually being cheeky. She also admired her mother Eva who raised all five of them on her own after her husband Maurice passed away at a young age. Donna had a huge heart and was a foster mother for newborns for 20 years, giving many babies a loving start in life. She was proud of her talents and often won awards. Over the years she was a quilter, sewer, crocheter, a potter with her own wheel and kiln, a dried flower arranger making many weddings and brides more beautiful, and a candle maker producing stunning multi-layered candles. Besides being a great cook, she was often baking with over a dozen varieties of cookies presented at Christmas, and there were always some peanut butter cookies in the freezer for emergency treats for kids of all ages. She took everyone exactly as they were and welcomed you with open arms into her home, telling stories of her and Klaus’ life, sharing one of the many beautiful poems she wrote, and if you were lucky, she played music with you on her Autoharp or tambourine and sang so wonderfully, especially harmonizing with her sisters when the opportunity presented itself. We have no doubt she is now welcomed by Klaus, Jack and all who went before her, and she is surrounded by love and laughter. Family and friends will gather at a later date to tell our own stories and to celebrate Donna’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated for Hospice Wellington: https://www.hospicewellington.org/