Okanagan writer, teacher Dona Sturmanis dies from cancer

KELOWNA – Local writer, poet and teacher Dona Sturmanis has died after a battle with breast cancer, her family has announced.

Long a fixture in the Kelowna writing scene, the prolific Sturmanis contributed to Okanagan Life magazine for over 23 years, while writing and editing a steady stream of books, magazines and other publications.

On Facebook, her son, Leif Erikson, praised his mother’s talents and the inspiration she provided himself and others.

"She is still, even after her body was found lifeless in her home, the great inspiration in my life to believe in people, their potential to create and inspire, and to them she devoted her entire life,” Erikson wrote.

Sturmanis also taught creative writing through Okanagan College’s continuing studies, then on her own through her website curiousbeyondwords.com.

"She was a brilliant poet and creative non-fictionalist, but her great contribution to the world was the effect she had upon countless starting writers and creators, as any of her students would enthusiastically confirm,” Erikson posted.

Her son says the place and time of a celebration of Sturmanis’ life will be announced soon.

To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or call 250-808-0143. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.