Collene Lynne (French) Damant

Collene Lynne Damant

October 20, 1940 – November 10, 2023

With great sadness, the family of Collene Lynne Damant (nee French) announce her passing on November 10th, 2023 at the age of 83 years. She spent her final days at the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

We’ll love you forever. We’ll like you for always.

Lynne is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, James William (“Bill”) Damant; her son Ron (Sohee; sons Jacob and Ben) Damant; her daughter Deb (Peter; sons Matthew (Suzanne) and Aidan; daughter Kate) Singbeil; her siblings Mildred (Tom) Robert; Gilbert (Leona) French; and, Sandra (Dwayne) Heinsen; as well as nieces and nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Lynne was born to Gay (nee Terris) and Goldie French in Nordegg, Alberta on October 20, 1940. During her childhood, she spent time in Alexo, Nordegg, Mission, B.C., and Red Deer. She met Bill in April of 1962. They married on October 12 that same year.

At first, Lynne and Bill moved around north and central Alberta, living in a number of communities to accommodate Bill’s job as a land surveyor. During that time, through telephone calls and long road trips, they stayed in close touch with family. Eventually, around 1970, they settled in Red Deer where they have lived for the remainder of their 61 years of marriage.

Lynne spent her time doting on family, always putting them first. When her children were of school age, she began work as a teacher’s aide with the Red Deer Public School Board. In the 1980s, she went back to school to study nursing at Red Deer College. At the age of 50, in 1990, she graduated as a Registered Nurse and spent the next several years working on the post-partum unit at the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

In retirement, she and Bill enjoyed spending time with family, visiting with friends and neighbors, playing cribbage and other card games, and camping. For several years, they roamed around the countryside in a small camper van. Two of Lynne’s favorite spots were Radium and Fairmont Hot Springs. Although she was always a little nervous about bears, the warm water was worth the risk to Lynne. Eventually Lynne and Bill traded their van in for a fifth wheel and parked it permanently at the Wolf Creek Campground. Everyone close to Lynne and Bill, especially grandchildren, have fond memories of time spent there.

Lynne was always very crafty, and excelled at cross-stitch, knitting, making Halloween costumes or Christmas decorations, etc. More recently, Lynne devoted almost all her time to taking care of Bill and chatting with family. Her dearest wishes were that Bill be comfortable and loved and that her family and loved ones carry on in the spirit of quiet determination and dignity that guided her life.

Lynne is and will forever be loved.

A Celebration of Lynne’s Life will be held at Wilson’s Funeral Chapel in Lacombe, Alberta (6120 Highway 2A, Lacombe, AB) at 1:30 pm on Friday, November 17, 2023.  This will be a time to remember and share memories with her loved ones and friends.

Special thanks to the team of professionals (the ER, unit 24, and unit 32) at the Red Deer Regional Hospital who provided such wonderful care to Lynne over that last few weeks of her life. Thanks also to the residents and staff at Points West Living in Red Deer who, when Bill came to need extra care, welcomed both Bill and Lynne to their family.

Donations in Lynne’s memory can be made to the Red Deer Regional Hospital: https://www.rdrhfoundation.com/give ~ or ~ the charitable organization of your choice.

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