Obituary of Donna Bushe

November 28, 1958 - Calgary, Alberta

August 30, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

 

Donna Bushe (nee Cameron) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at the age of 63 years.

 

Donna was born in Calgary, AB, on November 28, 1958, and lovingly adopted into the Cameron family the following week. Donna accomplished much through her life and was particularly proud of certain life achievements.

 

Donna graduated from Bishop Carroll High School.

 

Her career spanned many years, with her most cherished and accomplished work done for the Alberta Liquor Control Board (ALCB) from 1978 to 1992. During that time, Donna created and taught their customer service training program for all employees. Donna managed many ALCB stores and when it privatized, she was sought after to operationalize and manage private liquor stores.

 

Some of Donna’s other employers included: Dr. A. Kaegi Prof. Corp., Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Foothills Medical Centre Support Services, Economica, OmniArch Capital, Stride Management Corporation and Canada Diagnostics Centres.

 

As a young girl, Donna enjoyed participating in Girl Guides of Canada and was proud of her athletic involvement on her Jr. High School volleyball team.

 

Her love of horses started very young. Donna’s parents fuelled her love of horses when they gifted her with her first horse, “Ginger”, at age 12. Ginger was followed by “Safwan” and then “Fling”. Her passion for horseback riding may not be known to many, but it was foundational for her. On every vacation, whenever possible, she would seek out the opportunity to ride a horse and feel the wind in her hair. Recently, she commented that “I just want to get on a horse and ride until I fall off.” 

 

When asked about her wishes for her Celebration of Life, Donna quickly responded, “Oh! I want a parade!” When pressed about whether it should be a horse-drawn parade, her entire face lit up with joy.

 

Donna’s most memorable vacations included a week in Palm Springs with her sister Barb in 2002, the Family Cruise through the Caribbean in 2004, and several trips to Jamaica and Mexico with her daughter Chelsey.

 

She will be most remembered for her sharp wit, sense of humour and malapropisms (aka “Donna-isms”), where she would mistakenly use a word in place of a similarly sounding one, often with unintentionally amusing effect. For example, she often used the word “sublime” when she really meant to say “subtle.”

 

Donna is survived by her daughter Chelsey Bushe and granddaughter Adrianna King, of Calgary. She is also survived by her brothers, Bruce Cameron (Dixie Cameron) of Calgary, and David Cameron (Lorraine Cameron) of Kelowna, BC; and sister Barbara Cameron of Langley, BC; as well as many nieces and nephews who adore their “Auntie Donna”.

 

Donna was predeceased by her mother Lucille Cameron in 2008, father Donald Cameron in 1991, and husband Gilbert Bushe in 2015. Donna had reunited with her birthmother Jeannette Hudon, who predeceased Donna in 2013.

 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Calgary Crematorium Chapel, (3219 – 4th Street NW, within the valley of Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen's Park Cemetery (please note sensible shoes and sun protection is recommended for this portion of the service). Reception to follow at the Calgary Crematorium Chapel.

 

Family and friends who are not able to attend the celebration in person are invited to join Ms. Bushe’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

 

In living memory of Donna-Marie Bushe a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.

 

Donna's memorial card can be viewed by clicking here