WHITE, Donna Jean (nee Gillespie)July 24, 1929 - June 12, 2012In Loving Memory Donna White of Calgary, passed from this life on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at the age of 82 years. A Graveside Service will be held at the Wetaskiwin Cemetery today, June 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Following the Service, family and friends are invited to gather at Wetaskiwin Legion at noon. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Remembering Donna ... Donna was born to William and Viola Gillespie in the community of Daysland, Alberta. She valued memories of growing up amongst her four brothers and forming friendships that lasted her lifetime from these early years. In September of 1952, Donna married Dale Parke McKee. While residing in Camrose, they started a family. In 1958, Donna lost Dale in a vehicle accident. Although she faced very sad moments in her life, Donna's qualities such as quick wit and her sharp ways of observing and assessing the world around her never faded. Her children were first to benefit from her creativity, resourcefulness, and craft skills. She demonstrated a keen sense of picking up on individual interests to personalize cakes, projects, presents, photo albums and costumes. She extended this thoughtfulness and gift to many for years to come. After meeting and marrying Leslie Alfred White in September of 1961, Donna and Les began many life adventures together. As Les was a proud member of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry, they established homes in Germany, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Their family expanded with the birth of three sons. Most of Donna's work centered around selflessly meeting the needs of family and others. She also had memories of her job at a bank in Calgary, such as living through a robbery. Her eye for detail was evident in the numerous furnished doll houses she built, each capturing a specific sentiment. Those who travelled with Donna experienced her interest in history and desire to understand places she visited. Her ability to relay actual events and stories will be missed by all of us who loved visiting and listening to those stories, including her nine grandchildren. Donna was predeceased by her husband Leslie, her son Douglas, and daughter Marilyn; by her two brothers Gerald and William, and by brothers and sisters-in-law, Joan (Hal), Doug, Norman, and Ken. Left to cherish Donna's memory are her children Kenneth, Patricia (Faye), Norman (Linda), Robert, and William (Shelagh); and her beloved grandchildren Stuart, Colin, Mark, Heather, Sarah, Natalie, William, Liam and Jack. She is fondly remembered by her two brothers Gordon (Lois) and Robert (Helen); sisters-in-law Pat, Jean, Isabelle, Barb (Wayne); her Aunt Lois; and many treasured nieces and nephews. Gratitude is extended to the Home Care Staff in Airdrie and to Staff at Newport Harbour in Calgary. Thank you all for your incredible care for our Mom, Grandma, Sister and Friend. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to advance care and research in support of the Parkinson's Society of Southern Alberta, No. 102, 5636 Burbank Crescent S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 1Z6 (Telephone 403-243-9901, www.parkinsons-society.org), or the Canadian Diabetes Association, PO Box 26331, Stn Brm B, Toronto, ON M7Y 4R1. In living memory of Donna White, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park, Cochrane.