Donovan – Leanne Marie Donovan, aged 72, passed away on Wednesday, March 15th, 2018 in Stony Plain, Alberta, after a lengthy battle with her health. Leanne was born on August 3rd, 1945 in Bassano, Alberta, daughter of Fern and Paul Donovan. She spent her childhood in Patricia, Alberta attending schooling in Duchess, Alberta with her eight siblings. After attending nursing school in Calgary, she moved back to Patricia, where she married her childhood friend, Andrew Van Oene on January 17th, 1964. They resided for many years in Tilley, Alberta raising their four daughters. Leanne devoted much of her time at St. Jude’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with the RCIA and catechism programs. In 1992, Leanne and her daughters moved to Red Deer, Alberta, where she attended Red Deer College and graduated with a Rehabilitation Practioner Diploma. Her career, until retirement, was spent at the Mitchner Center, caring for adults with developmental disabilities. She spent her retirement in Stony Plain, where she resided with her daughter and family. Leanne is survived by her children Evelynn Bell (Michael), Jody Beck, Carla Rebman (Kristopher) and Amber Van Oene; 8 grandchildren and one great grandchild; siblings, Ilene Dixon, Joe Donovan, Karen Grabham, and Beth Toly. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 23rd at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Brooks. Rev. Raul Hernandez Celebrant. Interment to follow at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Leanne, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Guthy Jackson Foundation online: guthyjacksonfoundation.org or by check The Guthy-Jackson Research Foundation, Inc., Post Office Box 15185, Beverly Hills, California 90210.
