Rose – Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend, Donna Lucy Rose (nee Millar), passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2020 at Royal Oak Manor in Lacombe, Alberta. Donna was born on the west coast on June 16, 1934 and grew up loving the Pacific Ocean. After graduating from High School she attained her degree in Christian Education. Upon completing her degree, she took a job at Grace Presbyterian Church in Calgary, Alberta. It was there that she met her future husband (of 57 years), Hector Rose. They married June 20, 1959 in Calgary. They settled and remained in Bassano, Alberta for the next 39 years where they raised 5 children. They moved to Calgary in 1997, where they spent the next 19 years and spent her final years in Lacombe. Donna was a very active community member in Bassano. She was an elected official with the County of Newell School Board, a member of the Bassano Hospital Board (and was instrumental in keeping the Bassano Hospital open), she chaired the Palliser Health Authority for a time and later an appointed member (by the honourable MLA Dr. Lyle Oberg) to the Calgary Health Authority, a member of the Alberta Seniors Advisory Council and both the Canadian and Alberta Health (of which she chaired for a time) Associations. These 2 boards took up a great deal of her time. She was a strong CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training) leader at the local, provincial and national levels. Donna was a very proud member of the P.E.O. She was instrumental in the early stages of Alberta Continuing Education. She too was an elder at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church along with many other roles at Varsity Acres for 19 years. Additionally, she was a member of Eastern Star. She lived her life with grace, dignity and integrity along with strong morals, values and unwavering faith. She dearly loved her 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Donna was a wonderful cook, sports fan, knitter, reader and referee. Her pioneering spirit will be missed by all that knew her. Donna is survived by her children and their spouses, Lochie and Coral, Doug and Cindy, Peggy and Rob, Tom and Simone and Scott and Leah; 14 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sister Sandy (David) Murphy; sisters-in-law Jean (Chuck) Thomas and Eleanor (Bill) Sherman and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Hector Rose and parents Stanley and Elsie Millar. A family graveside was held on Saturday, April 11th at 2:00 PM from the Bassano Cemetery. Rev. Peter Baek officiating. A public service will be held at a later date. In memory of Donna, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, 500- 1509 Centre Street SW, Calgary, Alberta T2G 2E6.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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