1948 ~ 2013
After a long and bravely fought battle with cancer, Donella passed away peacefully at home on July 21, 2013 with friends and family at her side.
Donella was born in Dingwall, Scotland. She grew up in Duartbeg, a remote sheep farm on the northwest coast of Scotland with her father. Donella went on to complete her nursing training before traveling to Canada with a friend. In 1973, it was there that she met Finlay MacInnes, who she married in 1975 and made Canada her home.
Donella and Finlay started out their lives together in Gillam, MB. Finlay’s work saw them moving all over the north during the earlier years in their marriage including Grand Rapids, Thompson, Laurie River, and Arborg before make their way back to Gillam in 1989 where they stayed for 11 yrs. In 2000 they moved and bought their retirement home in Lac du Bonnet, where Donella remained until her passing. Retirement saw her indulging her hobbies; she was an avid reader, gifted wood worker, took great pride in her garden and cherished her new role as a granny.
Donella had a 30 year career as a nurse, taking her through various specialties including; pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency, and management, before finding her passion in the operating room. Donella retired in 2007, splitting her time between their home in Lac du Bonnet and joining Finlay in their home in Gillam while he continued working.
Donella was predeceased by her mother Isabella at the age of 12, and her father Peter MacLeod, both of Scourie, Scotland. She is survived by her loving husband Finlay and their three children; Jonathan (Sarah) of California, Susan (Duncan) of Calgary, and Roy (Angela) of Gillam, as well as her three grandchildren Cailee, Abby, and Parker, who loved their granny so much.
Donella had great faith in her Lord, which was quietly shown in her daily actions. Donella’s passing leaves a sad gap in the lives of all who knew her. She was a great friend, loving wife and mother and an amazing granny. She will be greatly missed.
Donella’s ashes will be laid to rest in the Beausejour Cemetery with her in-law’s Gordon and Margaret MacInnes, whom she loved deeply. Special thanks to Dr. Bruneau and CancerCare Manitoba. Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, August 24 at Great Falls Community Hall.
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Geri & Rick Olmstead
To Finlay & family, Geri & I extend our deepest sympathies. Donella was a great person to know and associate with.
Helga Bryant
Finlay, please accept my sympathy on the passing of your wife Donella. Even though I did not personally know your wife, people spoke so fondly of her and with a deep respect for her personhood as well as her nursing expertise and impact. This is a sad time for you and your family; cherish the memories and know that many staff in the Northern Health Region are thinking of you and your family.
Helga Bryant
CEO Northern Health Region
Kevin and Hanna Juenke
Our deepest sympathies to Finlay and Family. Hanna and I have only known Donella for about six or seven years, but she always treated you like family when you walked through the door. She always had smile and a very bubbly personality. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you, Finlay and family.
With all our prayers
Kevin and Hanna
Randy & Della Betker
To Finlay & family, our deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of Donella,she will be missed and always remembered. You are in our thoughts and hearts.
Randy & Della
Sherry & Des Kushniryk
Finlay – you and your family have our deepest sympathy during this very sad time. Donella was a very warm and wonderful woman and she will truly be missed. Hold close to all your incredible memories of your lives together and celebrate her life! Thinking of you!
Rick & Erin Rivera
Finlay, Roy and family, our deepest condolences to you. God has gained another angel.
Ed and Elvie Ramos
Finlay, John, Sarah and the rest of the family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow. With our deepest condolences.
Ed and Elvie Ramos
Brian Stirling
Finlay and family, you have my deepest sympathies, I am truly sorry for your loss.
Brian and Paula
Ellen (L'Abbee) McDougall
To Finlay, Roy and family,
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Losing a loved one is never easy. My thoughts are with you.
Ellen
Lyle and Donna Stevenson
Finlay and family- our thoughts are with you at this time of loss. Cherish the memories!
Wayne & Crystal Bjorndalen
To Finlay and family,
Please know that we thinking of you and your family in this difficult time and we hope you find peace in the days to come.
Wayne & Crystal Bjorndalen
To Finlay and family,
Please know that we are thinking of you and your family in this difficult time and I hope you find peace in the days to come.
Ross MacInnes
After 38 years Finlay, I can’t begin to imagine the hole in your heart. Donella was such an incredible person, and we all loved her so much. I recall with fondness the holidays we took together – Cyprus Hills, Banff, Victoria Beach, the Family Reunion, and the get-away at Coure D’Alene Idaho. She brought joy, laughter, love and the instincts to bring us all together. She will be sorely missed. I love you brother.
Brian (Turkey) & Patti Clace
Deepest sympathies, Mac, Jonathan, Susan, Roy and families. Donella will definitely be missed. We have lots of great memories!
Turkey, Patti, Chad, Crystal & Jordyn
Brian & Cassie Fox
Finlay and family, Our sympathy and deepest condolences during this time of sorrow. The times we have together are precious…cherish the memories.
Paul & Stella
To Finlay, Susan and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are will you during this difficult time. Donella’s spirit will undoubtedly live on through Cailee, Abby and Parker.
Bill and Linda Burbank
Finlay, we were saddened to hear of Donella’s passing. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dee MacInnes
Ross shared many of my feelings, the good times we had together. Donella was an amazing wife, mother and granny, and loved every member of her family with a deep heart. We will miss her and know she has left a hole in the heart of many who knew her.
Jackie & Glenn
She will be missed – thinking of all of you.
Janet Mac Innes
Finlay,Jonathan, Susan, Roy,and grandchildren, My love and prayers are with you in my dear sister in law Donella’s Home call. Naomi Ruth called to let me know. I was sorry to hear Donella’s cancer had returned. My dear Malcolm and Donella, Mom and Dad Mac Innes, Donella’s loved ones are with the Lord and waiting for those of us who have put our trust in Jesus to join them either by death or the rapture.
Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Love, hugs, prayers,
sister in law, auntie and great auntie Janet
Titus 3:13 “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Kay Bergman
I am sending my deepest sympathies to Finlay and all Donella`s children and grand children .She had a great sense of humor and was a compassionate nurse and friend I am sure she is now with the angels in heaven and watching over all
Kay bergman
Bud & Linda Seens
Finlay our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Don & Brenda McKinnon
Finlay & Family. Our thoughts are with you during this very difficult time. We have many fond memories of our time with Donella (working with and our leisure times together) She will be missed by all who knew her. Don, Brenda, Brian, Veronica & Vincent
Chris and Heather Davis
Uncle Finlay, John, Su and Roy. Our hearts and prayers continue to be with you all during this time. Donella – always quick with a smile and a “well hello lass” and a big hug.
I got to know her less as my god-mum and aunt and more as the quietly strong woman she was 13 years ago at the family reunion when I’d be up early nursing jake, and she’d be up starting coffee for the masses. Those are conversations and special times I will never forget. The world is a better for having had her in it, even for too short a time.
Ginger Mann
Finlay and Family. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.