Donna Mae Inglis

Donna Mae was born to Naomi Ann (Ostrom) and Leslie Willis Williamson in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on June 15, 1938. Her three half-siblings, Phil, Evelyn and Jack, were all much older, and loved to spoil or mother her.

At 12 years old, Donna accepted Jesus as her Savior and didn’t look back. Many godly individuals played key roles in Donna’s life as she grew in her faith. Once her father was convinced his daughter was not being drawn into a cult, she set out for the north country of Alberta, Canada. There, she attended Prairie Bible Institute from 1959 to 1962, where she studied hard and was active in leadership and missions’ prayer groups.

After graduation, Donna became part of West Indies Mission (now World Team) from 1962 to 1985 and served in Trinidad (1963-1979) where she and Edith Johnson planted three churches which are still active today. Donna’s passion for children and youth ignited a love of drama, music and service in the hearts of young people whom she mentored and led on missions’ trips to the islands surrounding Trinidad. As she poured into their lives, they grew in their faith and continue to make an impact for Christ around the world through their ministries today.

In 1979, Donna left Trinidad to further her studies in counselling. To raise the needed funds, she worked for a year as counsellor on the staff of her home church in Coeur d’Alene. She then attended Miami Christian College and worked at the World Team headquarters where widower Max Inglis also worked. After a short dating period, they were married December 27, 1982 and, as she liked to tease, “I had my four kids all at once.” She loved being mom to Bev (Paul) Huesken, Joanne (John) Grabis, Doug (Connie) Inglis, and Darryl (Clarita) Inglis, and grandma to her 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

In 1985, Abbotsford Evangelical Free Church (now Mill Lake Church) invited Max to be Associate Pastor. For Canadian-born Max, it was like coming home. And Donna soon became a duo citizen. During their time on staff (1985-1989) they made a great team. When Max retired, they continued to serve in many volunteer roles.

Donna loved serving at church—from leading Bible studies, a ministry to single moms (SMILE) and seniors’ groups, to serving on the women’s leadership team, being a deacon, praying, and greeting people with her welcoming smile. She also served on the board of Gladwin Heights Housing Society, which she believed in deeply, and volunteered at Cyrus Center where she encouraged young people and mentored staff. Donna was also “Mom” to the music group Shallum’s Wall and, with Ann Griffiths, co-authored A Mentor’s Fingerprint and co-founded Fingerprint Ministries.

Donna’s infectious smile and genuine, unconditional love of people drew them to her. She was generous, passionate, loved nature, was always ready to play a game, consistently had time for anyone who needed to talk, and gave God the praise and glory for everything in her life.

We miss her terribly, but live in the hope and assurance of being together again for eternity.

A graveside service for Donna will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Maclure Road Mennonite Cemetery, 33965 Maclure Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7W3. A memorial service will occur Friday, May 26, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Mill Lake Church, 33218 Marshall Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 1K5.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfh-abbotsford.com for the Inglis family.