Condolences
It’s so hard to try and capture the essence of a person like Donna Humphries in a short tribute, especially when their life spanned over 91 years, and they were so many things to so many people, so I’ll talk mainly about who auntie Donna was to me.
Donna was born the second eldest of four siblings on Sept 21, 1929, in the family's home in Calgary's Mission district, where she lived until she was well into her sixties.
From an early age, Donna loved classical music, and progressed to grade X Opera, (RCM), as a young woman. An accomplished music director in our church once told us that she could have had a successful career in Opera if she had pursued it professionally.
Instead of pursuing music, Donna obtained her RN degree at the University of Washington in Seattle, and worked as a nurse in Calgary until age 39, when she obtained her Master’s in Nursing from the University of Toronto. Donna then returned to Calgary, and was appointed director of Obstetrical Nursing at Foothills Hospital until 1968, when she was appointed Director of the Foothills Hospital School of Nursing, a position she held until her retirement in 1989.
I can hardly remember any part of my early childhood, without recalling auntie Donna’s vibrant presence – Friday nights when she’d come over for pizza and we’d watch T.V., Sunday’s when she’d have us over for Roast Beef dinners fit for royalty – she was such an amazing cook – “Slide Show Nights” where she’d have us over to show us her slides from her most recent trip to Africa, Eastern Europe, or Asia, as she loved to travel, most often to visit and encourage missionaries – and of course family birthdays – big holidays and special events.
Never married, family was so important to her, and she, (and my mom!!) were always the first to throw a dinner to celebrate an important achievement, or organize gatherings with the extended family, order heaping trays of Chinese food, and make us all feel like we were part of something special, and of course, we were.
After our family moved to B.C., Donna came out every year for two weeks, a visit which was always the highlight of my summer – she even arranged annual family reunions with Vancouver family I didn’t know we had.
When I started to have health struggles, Donna arranged for me to meet the Canadian doctor with Tourettes who was written about in Oliver Sax’s book, “An Anthropologist on Mars”. She remained a constant advocate for, and encouragement to me throughout those difficult early years.
Donna was always so encouraging of me in my music studies, and could always be found in the audience quietly cheering me on when I played in church, or at an event.
Donna had a way of making people feel important – like their struggles and successes really mattered, because to her they did, she really cared about people, and celebrated and hurt alongside them. I was so proud that Donna was my aunt, not that I had anything to do with it.
Underpinning every kind thing Donna did for so many, never looking for public recognition, was her love for Jesus. I’m going to steal a section from Miriam Charter’s tribute to Donna, because she saw her love for missions work on the mission field.
“Donna was among the founding people when First Alliance Church began. She was, for many years, the heart and soul of international missions at First Alliance Church. When I joined the pastoral staff (in 1981) she was heading up the Missions Committee. She was part of the Ladies Afternoon Prayer Group for at least 50 years (a group that was/is an “engine” of missions at First and around the world). Right up to these last days she prayed for her missionary heroes around the world. Many of them have gone ahead of her and must have greeted her tonight as she stepped into that throng around the throne.
Donna was a trooper on a brutal trip to Romania with me during the Communist era (1988). Never a complaint in cold hotels, no hot water, little food, close brushes with the Secret Police. I knew her as a champion of Missions in the local church. Many of you knew her as the Director of the School of Nursing at Foothills where she had an illustrious career in nursing education. Many remember her as a fiercely loyal friend, a lover of fine music, a church woman, a generous soul. . . and so much more!”
- Miriam Charter
Years ago, choking up with tears, Donna told me that she wanted the theme verse of her life to be Proverbs 3:5-6
5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
She told me that she never could have arranged for or envisioned the satisfying life she had, that the Lord orchestrated it just perfectly to suit her. Her part, she told me, was to get up each day and say, “Lord, this is your day, what do you want me to do with it?” and then do what she felt led to do.
I know the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit fervently wrapped Donna in their warm embrace last night when she entered their presence at 7:50 PM, and she heard Jesus say the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant”. We know that we will see her again one day, but on earth we mourn, because down here, there will never be another auntie Donna.
Ben Humphries
June 14, 2021
"Aunty" Donna was a good friend of my late mother, Grace (nee Peckover) Foster. Donna and my mom were friends for well over 40 years. She would come to the coast to visit and often stayed with us in Delta. After my mom died, Donna and I continued to stay in touch. She and I would have a visit every August when she came to the coast each year. Donna was a great inspiration to me and a wonderful example of a Godly woman. I valued her opinion and I looked up to her as she often shared her wisdom with me. Although I am deeply saddened to hear she is gone I know that she is in the arms of her Lord. My family and I will miss her. Anne Bonner
On behalf of the Foothills Nurses Alumni Association sincere condolences to the family of Donna. She was truly a remarkable woman and pleasure to work with at the School of Nursing. All her Nursing students stand tall for you Donna and say "Thank you" so Very much for your hard work for us. We will always remember you in our hearts. Rest in Peace Joyfully.
Michelle Senkow
President
Foothills Nurses Alumni Association (FNAA)
I worked with Donna at the Foothills School of Nursing as an instructor in a variety of roles. Donna was a thoughtful, kind and supportive leader and colleague. She was a part of making my years at the school of nursing memorable. My condolences to all her family. With respect Ruth Ross
I worked with Donna for a short period, really, from late 1987 through 1990, but she left an indelible impression on me. Gentle of spirit, the kindest leader ever....she brought great dignity and wisdom to her role at the Foothills. She was part of a team of leaders that put the patient and the staff front and centre; a group of people that understood the critical role of nursing in Health Care. Rest In Peace, Donna. My condolences to the family. Bonnie DuPont
We were on the count team with Donna for a few years at FAC. She was a wonderful lady with a gentle spirit. Our deepest condolences to all her family and friends. Murray and Elizabeth
My memories of Donna span many years encompassing her role as Director of Nursing Education when I was a pediatrics nursing instructor at the Foothills Hospital School of Nursing and more recently her continuous participation as an active member of the Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing Alumni. Her quiet, respectful, consistent style of leadership served nursing and nursing education very well. To have known her both professionally and personally has been a privilege.
Myrna and I have been blessed over the years to know this great saint, Donna Humphries who had an incredible passion for God's global cause. When she invited me to speak at the FAC missions rally in 1985, I didn't know it but I would meet my future wife! Donna kept the missions flame going over many years at FAC church and even visited us in Papua, Indonesia to see our work. Every time we returned to Calgary she would invite us for a meal and usually it was high up in the Calgary tower.
Donna has left us and gone on to her eternal reward but our memory of her will always be with us. Our family misses her already
Buzz, Myrna, Ben/Ashley and Dani (Aurore) Maxey
As director of the Holy Cross School of Nursing, I conferred frequently with Donna during the challenging days of the phasing out of hospital-based nursing schools in favor of university-based nursing education . Although we did not always agree on the desirability of the trend, Donna and I sought each other's counsel in pursuing the best course of action for our respective venues. I always appreciated and respected Donna's well-considered and helpful views. After the closure of the Holy Cross program, Donna called upon me to fill a temporary position on the Foothills School of Nursing faculty. She was an excellent administrator, very fair, very receptive to new ideas, and a pleasure to work with. In later years we were good friends. Rest well, Donna.
Doris Garner
As a new grad of the Calgary General Hospital in 1960 Donna was my first "Head Nurse"'! What a wonderful example to begin my nursing career. I learned a lot from her! . She was smart, compassionate, fair, kind, efficient and fun!
I admired her ambition to develop the Foothills Hospital Nursing program and how she fought to maintain the 3 year nursing program. There is only one Donna Humphries and we have each benefited from knowing her.
My sincere sympathy to all of the family.
Donna was a gracious, kind, compassionate lady who always supported her Nursing students. She leaves behind a great legacy and I am proud to say that I am a Foothills graduate.
Little did I know when Donna interviewed me for the FHH Nursing Program in early 1970, that she was the first of the extended Humphries Family who I would later call my friends. I will always appreciate her wisdom, leadership and Christian testimony as Director of Nursing. ~ Pamela Laing
As a 1988 Graduate of the Foothill Hospital School of Nursing, I will remember Donna for her kindness, and compassion shown to all nursing students. The playing field was always level in her eyes. She saw potential in all students. I am very proud to be a FHH nursing graduate and that is because she developed a world class program where world class nurses were born. My sincere condolences to her family.
Donna was always a trooper when she came on missions with us. Not much deterred her from living her life
with gusto and love for others. Condolences to "all" the family. Marshall and Marian
remembering Donna from my days at the Foothills Hospital School of Nursing.....will always hold this gracious caring lady in my heart...RIP Donna , you can be so proud of the wonderful legacy you leave behind.....
It was with sadness that I learned of the death of my former colleague, friend and 'best example' -- Donna Avanell Humphries. I had the pleasure of working with Donna at the Foothills Hospital from 1968 until her retirement. Donna directed our School of Nursing and did so in a manner that brought admiration of Donna's skill as a leader, educator and role model. Graduates of the School never worried about finding nursing positions as they were sought after in many parts of Canada. The gentle grace, common sense and dignity that Donna brought to her work and to her colleagues was a gift that served health care in Alberta in many ways. I will mourn Donna by storing my memories of knowing her and working with her in the place where I store the faces of those I have greatly admired.
Ralph Coombs, Calgary
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