Avis de décès de Mary Donovan - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

DONOVAN, Mary Orpha Mary Orpha Donovan was taken peacefully by the Lord on December 22, 2005. Orpha was born in Edmonton, Alberta on May 2, 1912, the only daughter of Laura (Hamilton) and Frederick Donovan. Her brother, Joseph Albert Donovan died in 1970. Orpha attended "Separate High School" in Edmonton where she made and kept so many wonderful and talented friends throughout her lifetime. These included the "P.A. Gang", the "Sunny Six", the "Kelinary Club", the "Transformation Club" and the "Children of Mary". They hiked, swam, skated, played ball, learned to drive "BF's" car, danced and just had a fun-filled time enjoying their friendships. Orpha also attended the University of Alberta, moving soon after to Vancouver where her widowed mother had resettled. When WW2 broke out, Orpha took a post as a civilian secretary with the RCN based in Ottawa. In 1952, Orpha received a special "Queen Elizabeth" Coronation Medal which was presented by Commodore Kenneth F. Adams for exemplary service to the Naval Reserve and the HMCS Star as a key member of the staff of the CO of the Naval Department. Orpha was in charge of the Naval Secretarial Pool based in Hamilton as her particular department had been moved there from Ottawa. Later, the department was relocated back to Ottawa. Because of her many years in each city, Orpha, who was always very social, likeable and easy-going, made many, many friends in both places. While in Hamilton, she took up sailing with friends among the Navy staff and soon grew to love that sport as much as she loved dancing, both being her favorite activities. She also loved to travel, riding camels in Egypt, the waves in Hawaii and horse-carts in Ireland. Although she preferred "sunny holidays", she visited colder climes including the mountainous areas of Alberta and Vermont, homes to her nephew, Fred and niece, Patricia and their families. In 1975, after 35 years in the Civil Service attached to the Navy, Orpha chose retirement (receiving a special thank you from the Prime Minister for her service to the Navy) and moved back to Edmonton where her early school friends were very happy to welcome her "home". She now was able to travel easily to Saskatoon to visit her mother and cousins. She had been a volunteer for "meals on wheels" and other charities, always loved walking and exploited that activity with her friends and family and especially while travelling. Family and friends will remember Orpha for her spirit, love of life, loyalty to friends, her presence as a mentor to those working with and for her and as a devoted and caring daughter to her widowed mother. A generous "thank you" goes out to all of the staff at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre, especially Judy Cassidy for her dedication, kind care and moral support for Orpha in her final years. Orpha is survived by her niece, Patricia Skene of Stowe, Vermont. Orpha's nephew, Fred Donovan, predeceased her in November 2004. There will be an announcement of an interment-site service at the Holy Cross Cemetery where Orpha will be laid to rest beside her father, Frederick Donovan. Arrangements will be handled by the Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home. The service will be held this Spring, tentatively scheduled for what would have been her next birthday, May 2, 2006. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre.