It is with heavy hearts and much love, we are announcing the peaceful passing of wife, mother and dearest grandmother, Donna Charlotte Armstrong (nee Hart) on July 2, 2021 surrounded by what was most important to her, her loving family.
Donna is survived by her husband and soul-mate Murray Armstrong, their daughters – Trina Armstrong and son-in-law, Steve Risselada of Edmonton and Lana Armstrong and son-in-law, James Marsh (Montreal) and her grandchildren – Charlotte Marsh, Ryan Risselada, Logan Marsh, Ava Risselada and Brandon Marsh.
Regardless of the physical pain she dealt with, Donna chose to have a positive outlook and her loving energy, soft hugs and beautiful smile will be dearly missed by many friends and family members.
Donna was born August 28, 1951 in Fairview, Alberta to Donald Melvin Hart and Charlotte Arline (Wolfe) Hart. The oldest of their 5 children, Ronald Hart and 2 sets of twins, Karen Proctor (nee Hart), Sharon Hart and Thomas Hart and Tim Hart. Donna grew up on the farm and helped with caring for her siblings and the farm. She was active in the 4H club and sewing club. Alongside her mom is where she developed her love of gardening and cooking large meals for her family and friends. After high school, she moved to Grande Prairie and completed her Legal Secretarial degree at Grande Prairie College. It was here she met Murray.
She married Murray, August 14, 1971 just shy of her 20th birthday. They moved to Nova Scotia while Murray finished his degree at Dalhousie. Before settling down they back-packed through England, France and Spain in the spring of 1972. They moved back to Alberta, first to Grande Prairie and then Calgary, where her daughters were born.
In 1978, they moved to PEI for a Social Work position. They bought a beautiful acreage and she returned to the farm life, with a large garden and goats and chickens. She also established Clay Haven, her own pottery business.
In 1984, the family moved back to Alberta, this time to Edmonton. She went to the U of A completing B.Ed., Masters Equivalent in Adult Education. After graduating, she had a rewarding career teaching at the Alberta Vocational College till 1994. She had to retire due to ongoing health issues due to Ankylosing Spondylitis. However, Donna’s love of learning did not diminish. In 1995, alongside Murray, she started to study Voice Dialogue. She continued with other approaches, notably Energy psychology, Feminine Shadow Psychology and Emotionally Focused Therapy while refining her approaches to pain management which she was able to share with ther friends, clients, and students. In 2011, Donna and Murray co-founded the EFT Edmonton community. She was a natural teacher and therapist. Murray would often say that what took him years of training to understand, she would know instinctively. Her abundance of love, wisdom and caring will stay with her family and friends in our memories and hearts.
Instead of a formal service, there will be an Honouring Ceremony of Donna’s life. You may attend both in-person in Edmonton or there will also be a livestream for those who are unable to attend due to distance, health or COVID issues.
Donna dearly touched the lives of many that knew her. If you would like to offer condolences to share, we invite you to do so on the Serenity Funeral Home website.
Honouring Ceremony for Donna Armstrong
Sunday July 11th, 2021
2 – 3:30 pm MST,
Double Tree West Edmonton Hotel (w/Mayfield Dinner Theatre)
16615 109 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5P 4K8
youtu.be/4QvoFdjpQlM
Livestream link youtu.be/4QvoFdjpQlM
Gifts of Gratitude
In lieu of flowers, Donna, in her pragmatism and generosity, would be pleased if donations were made to support women and families. Some options would be Wings of Providence www.wingsofprovidence.ca/ or the Elizabeth Fry Society www.efrynorthernalberta.com/ or WINhouse Edmonton winhouse.org/ .
For those attending in-person:
COVID Caution:
Because Donna had to be so careful about not getting COVID, wearing masks was very important to her. So, we are asking everyone who is in-person at her Honouring Ceremony to please wear a mask. Masks will be provided should you forget yours. She would be extremely distraught if someone got COVID!!
Clothing:
Please feel free to wear clothing that reflects your feelings about your relationship with Donna. We know Donna would love to see a sea of bright and flowery clothes because she chose to live her life from a place of gratitude, learning and lovingness. Murray will even be wearing his Hawaiian shirt they bought on their trip to Maui.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de ARMSTRONG Donna Charlotte July 2 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta