Donna May Buchanan

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Donna May Buchanan (nee MacLeod) in Edmonton, Alberta on August 11, 2026, at the age of 96 years.

She leaves behind her loving children Richard (Catherine), Sandi (Kurt), Don (Patti); her grandchildren Tony, Berrit (Daryn), Brendan, Kirsten, Tina and Marek; and great-grandchildren Theo, Adira, and Lily.

Donna was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill, her daughter Cindy, and her granddaughter baby Hana.

Donna was born on July 11, 1930, in Bassano, Alberta but spent most of her youth in the Hillhurst area of Calgary. She moved to Edmonton to study Education at the University of Alberta, where she met Bill, the love of her life, and they were married on September 6, 1952. Donna and Bill were married for over 65 years until his passing in 2018. They resided in Edmonton for most of their married life and raised their four children there, later followed by many happy years of retirement, always with time for their grandkids in Edmonton, Calgary and Kelowna.

Donna had a passion for children and focused her career on education - first teaching kindergarten for many years, substitute teaching in the public school system, and then working for the Edmonton Public Library in various roles, including several years at the Capilano Library, where she was known for her lively storytelling. Around this time, she was invited to tell stories on a weekly CKUA radio program.

Donna was known for her sharp wit, laughter, warmth and welcoming demeanour. She loved music, playing piano (sight reading up to age 96), dancing, acting in community theatre, and was a long-time patron of the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. Church and community were cornerstones in Donna’s life, and she was a congregant and volunteer at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church for over 50 years, where she and Bill made many lifelong friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2026, at St. Augustine's Anglican Church, 6110 Fulton Road, Edmonton, AB. Cremation has taken place.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to all the wonderful staff at the Jubilee Lodge Nursing Home for their care of Donna over the last 4 years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice in Donna’s name.