Donna’s Obituary
ABERCROMBIE – Donna Lea Hargreaves Cameron, 78, Abercrombie, passed away peacefully, Saturday, May 11, 2019 in the VG Site, QEII, Halifax, surrounded by her family.
Born in Paradise Hill, Sask., she was a daughter of the late Erling Karl and Nellie Grace (Ridings) Bjorgan. Donna was born on February 3, 1941, the first baby to be born in the newly built Paradise Hill Hospital. Her family moved to St. Walburg, Sask. and Yorkton, Sask. before moving to Leamington, Ont. Donna received an undergraduate degree in music from the University of Western Ontario and a masters degree from State University New York at Potsdam. She taught music in the Ottawa school system, and for many years at Frank H. MacDonald Elementary School, Sutherland’s River, where her choirs, she dubbed “the big blue machine”, won many honours. Donna taught piano and flute privately at her Ash Lane studios. Her advanced students regularly won the Rose Bowl at the local music festival and went on to compete at provincial and national levels. Some of them continued on to have careers in music. Donna’s yearly “Sounds of Joy” concerts featured some of these professionals who were typically returning to visit family over the holidays. These concerts raised money for a variety of local charities. At the time of her death, Donna was the Chairman of the Board of the Tearmann Society for Abused Women. She was a member of Trinity United Church, New Glasgow where she frequently filled in as music director. Donna embodied style and elegance. She enjoyed travelling the world. She was always seen with her little westie terrier Duffy in tow and driving her fancy convertible sportscar.
Surviving are her husband, Donald F. Cameron; daughters, Heather, New Glasgow; Alexis (R.J.) Hargreaves-Joyce, New Glasgow; step-sons, Stewart (Barbara) Hargreaves, Antigonish; James (Yana) Hargreaves, Flint, Michigan; Richard (Marion) Hargreaves, Brockville, Ont.; sisters, Karolyn Bjorgan-MacLean (Ian MacLean), Chatham, Ont.; Deborah Bjorgan (David Etkin), Toronto, Ont.; Terri Bjorgan (Robert Vainola), Ottawa, Ont.; brother, Dale (Patty) Bjorgan, Bobcaygeon, Ont.; God-daughter, Tracey (Bob) Bjorgan Sittek, Barrie; grandchildren, Aaliyah, Meagan, Adam, Tiffany, Dylan, Samantha, Nathan, Molly, Bowen, Makeala, Maia, Shannon and Mitch; great-granddaughter, Maeve; many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her first husband, Professor James H. Hargreaves; daughter, Sarah Jane in infancy; brother, Wayne Bjorgan; friends, Lois (Glenn) Kolot.
The family will receive visitors 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15th in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, May 16 in Trinity United Church, New Glasgow with Rev. Jim Webber-Cook presiding. Interment will be in Abercrombie Cemetery.
Donations may be made in Donna’s memory to Trinity United Church Organ Fund or Tearmann Society for Abused Women.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donna Lea Hargreaves Cameron February 3 1941 May 11 2019..
p and k macdonald funeral home
Death notice for the town of: New-Glasgow, Province: Nova Scotia