Obituary of Anne Lucille Donahue

In Loving Memory

Anne Donahue (nee Chitrenky)

June 5, 1949– December 16, 2023

Anne was born in Edmonton, Alberta, June 5, 1949 to parents Jean and Peter Chitrenky. Peter and Jean met in England during the war where they married and eventually came back to Canada. Anne’s first home was a small apartment on the south side of Edmonton.

After Peter obtained his teaching degree from the U of A, the family moved to the Hamlet of Nevis, Alberta, where he taught at the Nevis School, and they lived in a cold, drafty one room teacherage. A few years later they moved to Botha, Alberta where Peter was the Principal of the Botha School and Anne attended elementary school. Anne was involved in the community and participated in dance, figure skating and church activities.

When the High School was built in Stettler, the family moved to town and Anne attended and graduated from William E Hay Composite High School with a focus on Business. 

Anne had a happy childhood, despite having an annoying little sister, who was eight years younger, often getting into her things and interrupting time with her friends, they did get along well through out life. The family enjoyed many outings and activities together and often spent the school holidays with cousins, aunts, uncles and Baba in Calgary. In the summer, the family would often rent a trailer and after mom’s complete “sanitation” of it, the family would enjoy trips to the mountains, the Okanagan and even Vancouver to visit relatives. These trips left a lifetime of appreciation and love of the Rocky Mountains for Anne. 

A highlight for the family, was a 5 week trip to England in 1964, an exciting time, right at the height of the British Invasion and at the time of a cultural, societal shift. It was a significant trip for Anne, who was 15 years old and teenage fan of Elvis, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and other pop groups at the time. The trip also provided an opportunity to meet our many cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents who lived across the ocean. Some of these relatives have since come to visit, including cousins, Suzanne and Jane, who Anne enjoyed spending a lot of time with and who currently reside in Stettler. A airline trip of this nature was so unusual in the 1960’s that it garnered a half page write up in the Stettler independent complete with a photo of the family dressed to the nines, at the Edmonton International Airport!

After High School, Anne moved to Calgary where she worked for several years in administrative assistant jobs. It was here she met Dick Donahue who would later become her husband. They moved north living in Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton. It was at this time their only son Sean was born. The family spent weekends and holidays, traveling, camping, fishing and driving Sean to hockey and other sporting events and activities. Anne was a devoted hockey mom and always supported Sean and later the grandchildren in their sports and activities.

Anne’s most significant career was with the Canadian Red Cross as a Disaster Relief Worker, which took her to out into the night to assist fire victims and to disaster zones cross Canada, and into the United States. She also did training courses for the Red Cross, and fundraising through casinos and bingos. 

Later in life, Anne would move back to Stettler, where she worked several jobs in retail and as a cashier. Always loving to talk and interact with people, she met many members of the community. At this time she met Dale Lyster, who would become her partner. They spent lots of time visiting, socializing, camping and spending time with family, particularly Dale’s daughter Amber, partner Aubrey and granddaughter Baylee. Unfortunately, Dale passed away suddenly four years ago, which was a huge loss to Anne. 

Anne loved to garden, planting lots of flowers and vegetables. She spent many hours canning and preserving. She was also an excellent baker, and made the best cookies and squares. 

Anne was an avid reader of romance novels. Much to her “outdoor” sisters chagrin, her idea of a vacation was to come to the lake cabin with seven books and read one a day for seven days, very content being indoors, out of the hot “sweaty” sun and away from the bugs, particularly spiders, which she loathed!

Anne loved small children and babies in particular. She spent a lot of time with her nephews, Robert and David and also with her grandchildren Michael and Shae and later with Baylee. She often stopped while shopping to talk and admire someone’s baby in their shopping cart!

Anne was an animal lover and could never watch a show where an animal might be harmed. While she loved all animals, and had many cats and dogs during her lifetime, her favourite was the Labrador. It started with Duke, the family dog, and she would go on to have Taffy and Seven, Sam, and finally her beloved Jenny. A huge loss for Anne was when Jenny passed away 18 months ago. It is comforting to know that Jenny will accompany Anne to her final resting place.

Anne had a lot of medical challenges during her life, she fought valiantly, but the last six months in particular, were very challenging. It is comforting to know that in the end she left this earth peacefully, and we know that she is in a better place, hopefully near the Rainbow Bridge, where all pets go when they pass. 

She was loved, and we will all miss her very much. ❤️

Anne leaves to mourn her loss: son; Sean (Jean) and their children Michael (Damera), and Shea Donahue (Clinton); nephews: Robert (Michelle) and their children Ella and Alex Auld, David (Simrat) Auld; sister Pauline Auld (David Quon) and his children: Michaela, Sarah, Noah, Rachel Quon; cousins: Suzanne and Jane Bateup; as well as numerous cousins in Canada and England and many dear friends.

Anne was predeceased by her parents: Peter and Jean Chitrenky; partner Dale Lyster; and her dog, Jenny.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 1:00PM

Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, AB

Memorial Donations may be made to Saving Grace Animal Rescue, 4932 50 Ave, Alix, AB, T0C 0B0