Obituary of Alexanderina Josephine Donovan

June 1, 1933 – North Sydney, Nova Scotia

March 8, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Alexanderina “Josey” Donovan (Dupont) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024, at the age of 90 years.

Josey was born in North Sydney, NS, on June 1, 1933. She later moved to Calgary, AB, in 1980. She married Walter James Donovan in 1955, at St. Joseph Church, in North Sydney, NS. Josey accomplished much throughout her life and was particularly proud to be a great-grandma, grandma, and a mom. She warmheartedly loved children, and being a domestic homemaker was a beautiful role for her.

Josey loved going to bingo on Sundays, hanging out in the yard with her grandchildren, trying her luck with her scratch tickets, spending her weekends thrift shopping, and scrapping metal with her husband and sons. Days of Our Lives and General Hospital were a must-watch in her everyday routine, her essential coffee, red lipstick, scary movies, solitaire, baking bread, and bouncing the kids on her lap and singing diddle dee, doo, doo; these were all things that brought her daily bliss.

Her most memorable vacation could not be limited to just one. Every year, she would go up to Ontario to see her children for a month; those were memories she spoke about often.

She could often be heard saying her favorite line with a smile; "Fuck Off".

She will be most remembered for her incredibly huge heart, her perfect smile, and for being the #1 Mom and Grandma.

She was loved by every single person that she came into contact with and was the most accepting woman you could meet.

Josey is survived by her three daughters, Patti Donovan of Calgary, AB, Sharon Donovan of Etobicoke, ON, Dodo LaFleche of Dokis, ON; and four sons and her daughter-in-law, Peanut and Tracy Donovan of Calgary, AB, Tiny and Wendy Donovan of Etobicoke, ON, Dicky and Carol Viera of Toronto, ON, Bernie and Connie Donovan of Calgary, AB; 36  grandchildren, so many great-grandchildren (too many to count), and great-great-grandchildren from Alberta and all across to Nova Scotia.

Josey was predeceased by her husband Walter Donovan, as well as Billy Donovan, Mary Donovan, Tommy Donovan, Marguerite Dupont, Tabitha Donovan, Theresa Coombs, Peter Dupont, Alec Dupont, Pit Dupont, Frank Dupont, and Bonnie Wallbank.

“Thank you, Patti, for allowing us to have just one more day with her.”

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Josey’s family here.

In living memory of Josey Donovan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.