Donna Lynn Reid
January 09, 1962 – September 08, 2019
REID (NASON), DONNA LYNN
On Sunday, September 8, 2019 our loved daughter, mother, sister, aunt and friend passed away at Dartmouth General Hospital surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Halifax on January 9, 1962, she was the youngest daughter of Harold and Norma Nason. Donna graduated from Dalhousie University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Nursing. She went on to have a fulfilling nursing career working at the IWK, Direction 180 Methadone Clinic, a private dermatology clinic and the Victoria General Hospital as a staff nurse, clinic nurse, nurse educator, research nurse and nurse manager. Donna was part of a core group who established the Medical Day Unit, a treatment area for hematology and cancer patients. She later managed this unit as well as the hematology clinic at the Victoria General Hospital. Donna was a natural leader. She inspired and developed other team members. She was always a calm, fair force who valued everyone’s opinion. Years after being their manager, Donna is remembered as a leader who consistently went above and beyond for staff, always going to bat for them and standing up for what they needed to provide good care. Her final career move saw her managing the Regional Tissue Bank. While proud of her many career accomplishments, Donna’s pride and joy and greatest accomplishment was her son, Ben.
Donna lead a large, active life. Whether it be hiking, gardening, sea kayaking, or long walks in Shubie Park with Shadow, she loved to be outdoors and especially loved the beach, where she spent many, many summer days. Most recently Donna rediscovered her love for paddling, joining her local dragon boat team. She had great pride in her team and their many successes competing at the national level. Donna loved to travel. She visited Europe, Abu Dhabi, and the Caribbean and took many March Break trips with Ben. Donna was exceptionally creative and although she claimed to have not won the genetic lottery, she was happy to have inherited the pottery gene from her grandmother. She spent hours in the pottery studio with Buffy crafting beautiful pieces of work that her friends and family will cherish always.
Donna will be forever missed by son Ben, father Harold (Vi), sisters Bev (Dennis) and Tricia, her dear nieces and nephews and great-niece and nephews, as well as countless beloved family and friends, and her dog, Shadow. She is preceded in death by mother, Norma and sister, Claire. Donna felt very fortunate to have met her partner Mike Petitpas, who’s love and support meant the world to her.
Donna lived life to the fullest, appreciating the fragility of it all and accepting the highs and lows with determination and grace. She was a fully compassionate and kind soul. Her heart and her home were open to anyone who needed it, and she had a way of making every person she met feel special and important. Her warm and generous spirit will be missed by many.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Susan Haddad and Dr. Katharina Kieser, as well as the nurses and doctors at the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre and Dartmouth General Hospital Emergency Department. Special thanks to Donna’s extended family of close friends and neighbours who always provided her with unwavering support.
Celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church, 100 Ochterloney Street, Dartmouth on Monday, September 16 at 2 PM. Reception in the church hall to follow. A private family interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Craig’s Cause or any organization of your choice that would support cancer patients and their families. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca.
SERVICES
Celebration of Life Service
Monday, September 16, 2019
2:00 PM
First Baptist Church
100 Ochterloney Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 1C5
A Reception will follow in the church hall
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Donna Lynn Reid..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia