Honorary Life Membership Presentation – Donna Cooke
Good evening, everyone,
Honorary Life Membership is one of the highest recognitions our club can bestow. It is reserved for individuals whose long-standing commitment, service, sportsmanship, and dedication have helped shape not only our programs and facilities, but also the spirit and culture of the Oliver Curling Club. This award recognizes many years of consistent effort, participation, and contribution, and tonight we are proud to present it to a truly deserving nominee: Donna Cooke.
Donna’s connection to the Oliver Curling Club began shortly after she arrived in the community in the mid-1970s. From the very beginning, she embraced curling not just as a sport, but as a community. Over the decades, she has remained an active and dedicated member in good standing, consistently supporting the club and its many activities.
Donna has contributed to the club through a variety of important leadership and service roles. She served as Ladies League Rep, ensuring strong communication between all league members. For 10 years, she ran the Junior and High School curling programs. Through this long-term commitment, Donna introduced countless young people to the sport and helped build a foundation for the future of curling at the Oliver Curling Club.
In addition to her work within the club, Donna also served as the OCC Zone Rep, strengthening communication and cooperation between clubs. This role required dedication, consistency, and a willingness to advocate for the best interests of our club beyond our own ice.
Her volunteer service extends far beyond formal roles. Donna has been a dependable presence at club events of all kinds—bonspiels, fundraising activities, auctions, dinners, and social functions. Whether contributing her time, her energy, her resources, or her well-known culinary talents, she has always been willing to help wherever needed. Her support has always been both generous and consistent.
As a curler, Donna has enjoyed considerable success in league and open competition, winning many bonspiels over several decades. Yet her contributions to the club go well beyond wins and titles. When physical challenges required her to adapt her delivery, she continued curling with determination and enthusiasm, becoming a strong supporter of stick curling leagues and events. In recent years, her involvement in stick leagues and bonspiels—through participation, volunteering, prize donations, and fundraising—has been particularly meaningful.
Donna has also been a strong advocate for welcoming new curlers to the club. She has consistently encouraged participation, invited newcomers to join teams, and helped create an inclusive and supportive environment. In doing so, she has played an important role in promoting curling within the community.
Perhaps most importantly, Donna exemplifies the values of good sportsmanship. She is widely known as a positive presence on and off the ice—approachable, encouraging, and always ready with a smile. Her enthusiasm, sense of humor, and genuine enjoyment of the game have made her a natural ambassador for both curling and the Oliver Curling Club.
Honorary Life Membership recognizes not a single contribution, but a lifetime of dedication. Donna Cooke’s many years of service, leadership, volunteerism, sportsmanship, and unwavering support clearly meet—and exceed—the criteria for this honor.
On behalf of the Oliver Curling Club, it is with sincere appreciation and pride that we present Donna Cooke with Honorary Life Membership.
Congratulations, and thank you for everything you have given—and continue to give—to our club.
(photographs courtesy of John Chapman)
