Young, Donna Patricia (Gauthier), age 71, passed away peacefully on October 31st at Youville Residence in Vancouver, B.C.
Donna was born February 17, 1951 at St Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon to Arthur and Catherine Gauthier. She was the second youngest of a large family where she learned early on about the benefits of strong values, hard work and support for those important in your life.
Growing up in Saskatoon, Donna excelled at school, obtaining high marks and the respect of her teachers, professors and fellow students. Her sense of adventure and desire to see the world led her to take a gap year while at university to travel Europe, study/improve her French and live in Paris. She returned to Saskatoon in December 1972 with the ability to speak beautiful Parisian French, a European sense of style, a fondness for good food and wine and appreciation for a good single malt scotch. Upon her return she received a government scholarship to complete her B.A. (French) at the University of Manitoba's French immersion College du St Boniface. Immediately thereafter she enrolled in the University of Manitoba's College of Education receiving a Professional Teaching Certificate and entered the teaching profession for the next 5 years, firstly in Winnipeg and then in Saskatoon.
While completing her undergrad degree she met and married her loving husband, Brian Young of Saskatoon and they embarked on a life partnership together. Over the next 8 years Donna and Brian supported each other, alternately working and studying to improve both their education and employment prospects. By 1982 Donna had obtained her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Saskatchewan and embarked on a remarkable and successful career throughout western Canada. Donna worked for the Saskatchewan government, first as Assistant to the Chairman of the Public Service Commission where she was tasked with resizing the provinces civil service and later as the Director of Day Care Services where she furthered the development of the provincial day care program. After moving to Calgary in the late 80's she worked as a Human Resource specialist consulting with the Foothills Hospital where she helped resolve some of the hospitals more complex human resource issues. In the early 90's she moved with Brian to Vancouver accepting the position of Assistant Director for the WCB Rehab Center. While there she was headhunted by the BC Medical Association (BCMA) to become their Director of Finance and Administration. A position she held until becoming ill and retiring.
In all her endeavours, Donna applied herself with grace, intelligence and effort. She always managed to leave everything she was involved with, much better off including assignments, people, friends, family, coworkers and the environment. Donna had gentle soul and a steel will. She was a lover of life who never complained but instead applied herself diligently and professionally to whatever problem presented to her.
She was an amazing partner, a great friend, wonderful hostess, fantastic chef, supportive colleague, outstanding leader and mentor to many. Her husband, friends and family will miss her tremendously.
The world is a better place for having Donna in it.
Donna is survived by her husband Brian of 48 years, her brothers Frank (Rosemarie), Tony, Cyril (Marlene), Jack (Sylvia) and sisters Pat (David) and Anne (Donnie) as well as a great many nieces and nephews.
Her husband wishes to express his gratitude to the tremendous caring staff at Youville Residence, Vancouver where Donna spent the final 10 years of her life. A special Thank You to her two talented and wonderful personal caregivers who were with her daily on her journey over those 10 years. They made coping with a difficult situation much more manageable due to their compassionate and loving care.
A Mass for Donna will be held at 11 am, Friday, December 2nd at the Holy Name of Jesus church, 4950 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local Alzheimer's Association in her memory