Donna Shirley Rooney

Donna was born on May 12, 1928 to Horace (Laddie) and Emily Lamb in Tisdale, Saskatchewan. Donna was the middle daughter in the Lamb family (older sister Lois, younger sister Gwen). She grew up on the family farm near Valparaiso, Saskatchewan. At age 15, she moved to Victoria, British Columbia, to further her studies in voice and complete high school at Victoria High. Singing would be Donna’s lifelong passion. Upon completion of her grades 11 and 12, she attended Business College. She worked for the department of Education in Victoria and then moved to Saskatoon where she worked at a law firm, the Canada Income Tax Department, and the Rental Board.

In July of 1949, she married Daniel Rooney. After brief periods in Tisdale and Ottawa, Donna and Dan settled in Prince Albert, Sask. where they raised their seven children: Johanne (Laurent Fournier), Donaureen (Dick Batten), Pat (Larry Dey), Lois (Arch McKay), Kathleen (Gerry Schimnowsky), Mary Lynn (Greg Schmidt) and Tom (Julie Fox). They attended St. Mark’s Church where Donna and family were very active in music ministry. In 1976, Donna and Dan moved to Saskatoon, and were involved with their community and, in particular, the parish of St Philip Neri.

Blessed with a beautiful, soprano voice, Donna was a valued member of the Saskatoon University Chorus, Meri Misfits, Resurrection Choir at St. Philip church, and, most notably, a member of the Sweet Adelines Chorus for 44 years. Many of Donna’s longest and most meaningful friendships were founded and nurtured through fellowship in singing and music. She loved attending the symphony, concerts, and was a great supporter of live theatre. She worked out at the Field House three times a week for many years, where she made many more friends.

Growing up on the farm, Donna began riding horses at a very early age and had a deep love for horses all her life. She often said that she had wanted to grow up to be an “opera-singing cowboy.” In celebration of her 70th birthday, she participated in a week-long horseback riding trek in the interior of British Columbia, riding long hours by day and sleeping in tents and huts by night. While other riders were somewhat sore at the end of the day, Donna, being horse-smart, brought along some sheep’s wool to make her ride a little more comfortable for which she was both admired and envied by her fellow “cowboys.” She loved dogs, especially her own loyal dog, Rufus.

Above all her loves, Donna took great delight in her large family, often saying it was her family that kept her young. She was a devoted and loving mother, a caring and thoughtful grandmother and great- grandmother. She was so proud of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and a great supporter and admirer of all their many talents. Her granddaughter, Katelynn, said of her, “Grandma was everything you’d want a home to feel like. Warm, inviting, kind-hearted, cozy, and full of music and laughter. Visiting Grandma meant music and muffins and talks in the kitchen, and everyone always feeling at home because she was there.” She will be remembered for her welcoming smile, her delight in life, her faith in God, and the way she’d laugh until the tears ran down her cheeks when something struck her funny bone.

In June of 2022, Donna suffered a heart attack. After a stay in the hospital, she moved to Warm and Cozy Personal Care Home, where she lived until she entered St. Paul’s hospital as her health began to deteriorate. After a short illness, Donna peacefully passed away.

Donna was predeceased by her husband, Dan, daughter in-law, Gina Wilkinson-Rooney, her parents, (Laddie and Emily Lamb), her parents-in-law (Francis and Annie Rooney) sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law (Beth and Ed Minvielle, Mary and Luc Poudrier, Ione and Eugene Lambert, Sister Frances Rooney, Tom Rooney, and Al Vinnish).

She is survived by her 7 children, 23 grandchildren, and 30 (and counting) great grandchildren, her sisters, Lois Vinnish, and Gwen Button (Len), and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many, many friends.

In Donna’s own words, “I have been blessed with a full life surrounded by people that I loved and who loved me. In that, I have enjoyed a long and meaningful life.”

The family wishes to thank the staff at Warm and Cozy Personal Care Home for their kindness and aid they gave to Mom. We would also like to thank the medical staff at St. Paul’s Hospital for their professional and compassionate care of Mom in her last few days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crohns and Colitis Canada-Saskatchewan (Box 28074, Westgate, Saskatoon, SK S7M 5V8).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29th, 2022, at St Philip Neri Parish, (1902 Munroe Avenue South Saskatoon). The family requests that masks be worn for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Aimé Laventure.