April 23, 1934 – January 11, 2026
With heavy hearts, we said goodbye to our family matriarch, Donna Delvecchio, in the early hours of Sunday, January 11th, 2026, at Hogarth Riverview Manor in Spruce Grove.
Donna was born and raised in Port Arthur. She attended Prospect Public School and Hillcrest High School before finishing her education at King’s Business College. After working as a secretary for several insurance companies, she found an opportunity at the City Clerk’s Office. There she spotted a bulletin looking for applications for the City’s Police Force. Always eager for a more fulfilling career, she not only pursued that path but became a trailblazer as the first female police constable in Lakehead. She joined the Port Arthur Police Department on December 19, 1957. This followed in the footsteps of her grandfather Richard Nichols who started his service with the Port Arthur Police Force as night constable back in 1874. After ten years he was promoted to sergeant and eventually became Chief of Police in 1886, serving for another twenty years.
In recognition of her service, Donna received the Exemplary Service Medal in 1984 and made history again by becoming Ontario’s first female Staff Sergeant during the late eighties. Throughout her career, she formed many friendships within the force but had a special bond with one constable named Terry Wolnik whom she affectionately called her “Little Pollock.” They remained close friends up until her last days while catching up from afar. Donna retired from policing on January 31, 1991 and continues to be honored by Thunder Bay Police Services on National Policewomen’s Day.
In her earlier years at work, she married and welcomed her daughter Judy into the world. Later on, she found true love with Joe Delvecchio and they tied the knot in 1968. Their shared passion for water led them from Lake Superior’s Bay’s End to Napili Shores in Maui where they enjoyed over thirty wonderful years of retirement together. When Joe could no longer travel to Maui due to health reasons, they built their forever home at Bay’s End surrounded by close friends who were like family. After Joe passed away in 2008, Donna’s fierce determination kicked back into gear as she resolved to continue living life on her own terms at the lake.
During summer months you would often find Donna outside caring for her gardens or mowing perfectly trimmed grass while enjoying an ice-cold drink-sometimes with neighbors dropping by for a chat. In wintertime she’d bundle up outside managing her large snow blower clearing driveways while wearing those “winter” crocs that Judy always warned were unsafe but fell on deaf ears! Close friends like Percy/Fran Pilatzke and Stella/Joe Stakiw frequently shared good times together over wine or scotch-no special reason needed! Over time Mom also built strong friendships while spending winters in Maui which she kept alive through constant communication over many years. Family gatherings always brought joy-be it welcoming new great-grandchildren or celebrating birthdays-with laughter filling their home! Throughout it all there were plenty of furry companions keeping her company; every stubborn pup stole a piece of her heart including Marley who visited often after mom suffered from a stroke-a big thank you goes out to Sophia Ambrose for taking care of Marley!
Donna was predeceased by her beloved husband Joe Delvecchio along with parents Michael and Mabel Charnesky; stepfather George Murphy; brother Jim Charnesky; father-in-law Tony Delvecchio; and mother-in-law Loretta Delvecchio.
She leaves behind daughter Judy (Gary) Bates; granddaughter Krista Bates (John Paterson); grandson Ryan Bates (Marissa Stajkowski); grandson Taylor (Michale) Bates; great-granddaughters Madeline Paterson and Scotlyn & Emery Bates; brother-in-law Rocco Delvecchio and family; sister-in-law Sharon Charnesky (Mc Kinnon); niece Donna Mabel Charnesky from Toronto.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Karlene Gleason along with Kylie Anderson (nurse manager), especially PSWs – Shelley Hoier, Bonnie Hari; RN/RNPs Janet Okyere & Wella Del Ladrido plus all other staff who touched Mom’s heart during five incredible years spent at Spruce Grove-their kindness will never be forgotten.
A celebration honoring Donna’s life will occur on Friday January 23rd starting at one o’clock PM inside Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel located at twenty-one North Court Street-those wishing may donate instead of sending flowers toward either Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Foundation or Northern Cancer Care if desired.
Online condolences can be sent through www. sargentandson. com
