Obituary of Donna Vivian Evans Miller Evans

January 21, 1933 – Vancouver, British Columbia
January 6, 2021– Calgary, Alberta

We are greatly saddened to announce the sudden and peaceful passing of Donna Evans (formerly Miller, nee Evans), on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. She died just short of her 88th birthday while wheeling in her wheelchair, doing rounds with the staff, in her home in Calgary; living fully till the very end.

Donna was born and raised in Vancouver, to a family who stressed hard work and composure under difficult times; traits Donna passed to her children and grandchildren and demonstrated daily as she struggled with the challenges of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

She moved with Harry and family to Edmonton in 1964 and quickly made friends in the community of Lendrum and at St Paul’s United Church, where she was very active taking on many roles, including CGIT leader, bridge club, recording steward of the board and serving Sunday morning fellowship coffee for over a decade.

Donna was diagnosed with PD in 1981, at the young age of 48.  As with all her physical loses, she took it in stride, joining Parkinson Association of Alberta and learning all about the disease.  She was widowed in 1985 and spent the next five years settling into being a Nana and travelling.

In 1990, Donna married Wilf and moved to Vancouver to start a new life there.  PD continued to change her abilities so in 2003 she was accepted to be one of the first recipients to have a Deep Brain Stimulator implanted. The results were miraculous, and this bionic woman had a new lease on life.

She wanted to share her experience with others, so she went to various B.C. PD groups, explaining the procedure and how it had changed her life.  In 2007 Donna and Wilf moved into Sunrise Vancouver for more care.  PD continued to take from Donna.  She lost her ability to balance and was unable to remember this, so was constantly falling and injuring herself.  In 2018 she had a traumatic fall which necessitated a move to Auburn Heights in Calgary to be near her daughter.  Although Donna was suffering from PD Dementia, she was still social, had her dry sense of humour and enjoyed sharing stories with staff and residents (and some of them were even true!).

She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Barbara Vogan (Andrew) of Calgary and Arthur "Roger" Miller (Dominique) of Victoria; grandchildren, Sarah (Kyky), Michael (May), Nicholas and Jean-Sebastien; great grandchildren, Thea, Skyla, and Olivia. Donna was predeceased by two wonderful husbands: Harold Gordon Watson Miller (1985) and Wilfred Miles Evans (2012); and her parents, Donald Evans (1959) and Cora Francis Jenkins (1970).

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's United Church in Edmonton once COVID restrictions are lifted and it is safe for friends and family to gather.  The service will be available online as well. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Donna’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers memorial tributes may be made directly to the Parkinson Association of Alberta, 120, 6835 Railway Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2V6 Telephone: (403) 243-9901, www.parkinsonalberta.ca.

The family would like to thank Donna’s many close friends that supported her through her long and difficult journey.  We would also like to thank the PD doctors of Edmonton, Vancouver and Calgary, the Parkinson societies of Alberta and British Columbia, Sunrise Senior Living Vancouver, and Auburn Heights Retirement Residence in Calgary for the loving care they gave our Mother.

In living memory of Donna Evans, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.