Donna Patricia Couttie Wood

Donna passed away peacefully in her home on January 27, 2026, after enduring, with grace and great courage, the progressive and devastating effects of ALS for almost three years. Her husband Steve was at her side when she passed on.

Donna was a loving and caring wife, mother to Matt and James, mother-in-law to Andrea and Kristin, sister to Norm Jr., and Anne, sister-in-law to Kerry and John, and a loving grandmother to Aldric and Owen. She will be greatly missed but lovingly remembered by all her extended family.

Donna was born in Montreal to Norman Couttie and Pierette Gagnon in 1953. Growing up in Ste. Rose Donna was active in Guides and Rangers. She attended Rosemere High graduating in 1970.

Her first job was as a salesclerk in Ogilvy’s, a Montreal department store. which, at the time, catered largely to the established and generally well-heeled Westmount clientele. The store, back then, had the quaint custom of having a kilted bag piper usher customers out of the store at closing time each night. On Friday nights her boyfriend Steve would be waiting outside on Ste. Catherines St for an evening out with friends in the brasseries and restaurants Montreal was famous for. Donnas’ favorite restaurant for special occasions was Gibby’s in Old Montreal.

After her job in retail sales Donna joined Sun Life Assurance and worked as a clerk at their head office in Montreal.

Donna met Steve and many of their circle of mutual friends through Rovers and Rangers. Camping, hiking and canoeing were among her favorite summer activities. Downhill and cross-country skiing were favourite winter pastimes. Donna and Steve would often ski in the Laurentians, the Eastern Townships or in Vermont with close friends Bonnie, Mike, Phil, Elizabeth, Richard, Linda and Eric and Caroline.

Donna and Steve were married in 1975 in Montreal and the following year moved to Halifax N.S. where she worked as an administrative assistant at Sun Life and then Canada Cement Lafarge. Donna and Steve enjoyed their years in Atlantic Canada, travelling throughout the Maritime provinces and spending weekends with friends at Lawrencetown beach, hiking along the South Shore trails and Bay of Fundy, clam digging, enjoying lobster dinners, and, in winter, skating on frozen lakes in Dartmouth. In 1980, their sheltie puppy Megan joined the family and the following year Donna became a mom with the birth of her first son Matt.

Donna and her family moved back to Montreal for Steve’s career in 1983. A year later the family settled in the west island community of Beaconsfield, and her second son James was born. There, Donna enjoyed daily outings with the boys and Megan, who used her herding instincts to keep the kids from wandering too far ahead and would always corral them back to mom.

Opportunity then brought the family to Calgary where Steve accepted a leadership role with the National Bank. Donna enrolled the boys in French immersion and swimming lessons at Lindsay Park. Matt learned to ski with his dad at Canada Olympic Park which was close by. Weekends were spent at Lake Louise, Banff or Kananaskis, camping in summer and skiing in winter. Donna became a very strong skier during her years in Western Canada. Steve’s mother Doris made several trips to Calgary to see her grandsons and Donna developed a close bond with her.

In 1988 the family moved to Vancouver settling in Tsawwassen. Donna’s parents Norm Sr. and Perry and Donna’s brother Norm Jr. and his wife Kerry were living in Vancouver - reuniting the family. Donna devoted her time to family activities and to getting the boys to and from the many sporting activities they were involved in. It was a very busy time in her life and as the boys were getting older Donna returned to work part-time with Motorola. The 9 years they lived in western Canada were among the most memorable. Donna and Steve developed close friendships with Al and Jennifer and their neighbours the Leroys.

Donna and Steve moved back to Toronto in 1995 settling in Oakville. Matt completed high school and went to university followed by James a few years later. Donna worked for a leasing company and an insurance company as a customer service rep. During this time Donna’s mother-in-law Doris, who by then had moved to Oakville, had developed cognitive challenges. Donna spent a lot of time taking Doris for groceries, to medical appointments and being a companion. She continued to provide help and comfort to Doris as her condition worsened and until the day Doris passed away.

Donna and Steve took some very memorable trips together including an eastern Mediterranean cruise. One very special trip that Donna took was to Switzerland to visit her sister Anne and her brother-in-law John who generously shared their beautiful home near Montreux and showed Donna a wonderful time touring that beautiful country.

Donna’s father Norm Sr. developed Parkinsons disease which resulted in Norm going into a care facility where he lived until he passed on. Perry, her mom was still spry for her age but, in the ensuing years, she too would develop health problems. Bi-yearly Donna would visit her mom in an assisted living residence in Vancouver. Donna would stay for several days at a time, bringing care and comfort.

Upon retirement Donna and Steve moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake and remained active by going to the gym, usually five times a week, cycling throughout Niagara and visiting wineries and restaurants. Donna especially enjoyed visits from James and Andrea and her grandsons who she would take to the local splash pad usually followed up with ice cream and story reading.

Donna developed the first signs of neuro/muscular disease in early 2023. It took multiple visits to specialists and tests before it was determined that she had developed ALS. ALS has no known treatment or cure. It was a devastating diagnosis. Yet Donna soldiered on, always remaining cheerful and positive for the sake of those close to her. She had many moments of anxiety and despair. Ultimately, too weakened by the disease, and with her ability to breath and speak becoming more difficult with each passing day, Donna passed away at home, in her sleep, during the early morning of January 27th. Steve was with her at the end.

Her family expresses its thanks and gratitude to the medical personal who provided care and assistance to Donna. A special thank you is owed to Greg, her Occupational Therapist for the exceptional care and support he provided.