Alene "Bik" Donovan

Born in New Waterford, NS, she was the daughter of the late Dora White and William "Sailor" Delaney. The youngest of five children she leaves behind her sisters Doreen Clements (Oromocto, NB) and Evelyn Morrison (New Victoria, NS) and brothers William (Willie) Delaney (New Waterford, NS) and Gary Delaney (South Surrey, BC).

Bik is survived by her loving husband Brian with whom she shared close to 24 years of wonderful marriage.

Bik wasShe is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews and 13 grand nieces and nephews. Bik was honoured to be the godmother of twins Keegan and John Whelly (Toronto) and Tara Gracie (Calgary). Special mention is made of her loving niece Heather (Sandy) McNeil and her daughter Victoria McNeil both of whom she treated like her own daughters since their birth.

Alene attended St. Francis Xavier University initially studying science and transitioned to St. Martha's School of Nursing in Antigonish, NS. Upon completion of her studies she successfully passed her Registered Nursing Examinations and embarked on a career in nursing which spanned 38 years.

She interned at St. Martha's Hospital upon graduation and then sought adventure in her career by accepting employment with the Federal Government of Canada, nursing with Canada's First Nations People (Cree and Inuit) in settlements in Northern Ontario. She carried out her outpost nursing assignments by Ski-Doo, helicopter and floatplane. Her greatest rewards were the friendships she made with other medical professionals as well as Canada's First Nations People. Returning to Halifax, she started her long and rewarding nursing career at the Grace Maternity Hospital in Labour and Delivery. She moved with the hospital to the IWK Health Centre and worked in Obstetrical OR, Uro-Gynecological OR, the IVF Program, and rounding out her pre-retirement in the ambulatory clinic in women's health.

Nursing was her passion and her entire life was dedicated to the care of family, friends and the women in her care. She loved going to work each and every day.

Blessed with an extraordinary memory Bik would often meet patients, whom she had assisted in their deliveries, years later in life and rhyme off their children's names in order of birth.

A lover of music, she knew every word of every song to the amazement of many entertainers that she met over the years. Amongst her favourites were Gordon Lightfoot, John McDermott, and Valdy. Bik was also a huge Coronation Street fan and loved to attend the annual Meet the Stars events in the spring of each year.

An avid diarist, she could go back to her notes and revisit events and travels which she and her husband enjoyed. She loved music and sang in the hospital choir for a number of years. She also loved sewing, sailing, and travelling to warm locations to enjoy the sun. Bik and Brian enjoyed much time on their sailboat "Free Spirits", making many seasonal water friends along the way. In her younger days she took many ski trips to Western Canada.

She was a member of the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron with her husband and an active member of Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (Bayers Rd, Halifax) where she served as a lay minister of the Eucharist and sat on Parish Council. She was active in the Nova Scotia Nurses Union throughout her career.

She asks that she be remembered for her love and commitment to nursing which spanned almost four decades. In her last position in the IWK she would say "I treat each of these lovely older women like they are my own mother".

Special thanks to Dr. Daniel Raysan and Helen Searle RN of the Department of Oncology Dickson Center, the VON, Palliative care specialist Dr. Jeff Dempster and his colleagues along with all the wonderful staff of 7A Palliative Care unit, VG site, QEII, Halifax. You cannot be thanked enough for your caring and compassion.

A very special thank you is extended to Bishop James Hayes for both home and hospital visits and much appreciated support and counsel.

Cremation hastaken place. Visitation will be held at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive B3S 0E1, Halifax on Friday October 21st from 3 pm to 9 pm.

Funeral mass is to be held at St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church 6351 North St. B3L 1P7 Halifax on Saturday October 22nd. 2011 at 11am. Monsignor Brian Sheehan officiating, assisted by Bishop James Hayes. Internment at a later date.

"In Memoriam"

In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be considered in order of preference: For the Atlantic Clinical Cancer Research Unit c/o Dr. Daniel Raysan, QE II Foundation Box 9000, 1276 South Park Street Suite 1-040 Centennial Building Halifax NS B3H 2Y9, followed by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society c/o Saint Catherine of Siena Parish 6351 North St. Halifax NS B3L 1P7, the CNIB or charities of your choice.

" Always be Kind "