Donna Marie Auten

Donna Marie Auten (Duguid) passed away suddenly on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the age of 68, in Salome, Arizona, the place she called home for the last few years. Heaven welcomed Donna into the loving arms of her parents and her beloved Jimmy Auten, the love of her life.

Donna was born in the R.M of Glenwood, Manitoba, Canada on June 15, 1957, to Robert and Joan Duguid. Although she was the middle of three children, she was always known to her family as “Baby Donna”.

Donna lived a life of many beautiful chapters, each one marked by love, courage and growth. The first chapter of Donna’s life was rooted in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada where she grew up and began building a life filled with love and purpose. In 1975, she married Douglas Brown, and together they raised their two cherished children, Grant and Traci. Donna worked at Brandon Correctional Centre for several years, but her most treasured role was being a proud mother.

Donna began a new and deeply meaningful chapter when she married her soulmate, Jimmy Auten, in Jerome, Idaho. With Jimmy by her side, she embraced every moment of their life together, taking many trips to Jamaica and spending time with close friends. Proud to call the United States home, Donna became an American citizen in 2014. She cherished her years in Idaho, where she built lasting friendships and being close to her daughter Traci, husband Ryan and two beautiful grandchildren.

In 2022, Donna set out on a new journey, selling her home and following her heart to Arizona in an RV. It was there she discovered a special group of friends who became her “soul sisters”, sharing in laughter, adventure and spunk that had always defined her. Surrounded by the desert’s beauty and the warmth of newfound family, Donna truly lived each day to its fullest, her positivity still shining through right up to her final breath.

Though miles away, Donna’s heart was always with her family. She was endlessly proud of her grandchildren, whether that was cheering for the youngest one’s dance and singing performances, delighting in the sound of the electric guitar echoing heavy metal riffs, and beaming with pride as she told anyone who would listen about both of her eldest granddaughters’ academic accomplishments and striking beauty. No distance could dim her love; she stayed close through calls, FaceTime and social media, never missing a chance to celebrate their joys and milestones.

Donna faced life’s challenges with courage and unshakeable optimism. Her laughter was easy and her smile infectious. She had a gift of connecting with others and was always ready to strike up a conversation, share a story, or offer encouragement along her journey. She lived bravely, loved deeply, and if Donna could offer a piece of advice it would be: love hard, laugh often, take the trip, and fill your life with people who make your heart lighter and your days brighter.

Donna will be lovingly remembered by her two children Grant (Jolene) Brown and Traci (Ryan) Sizemore, as well as her “bonus” daughters, Tracey (Dick) Johnson and Brenda (Scott) Hall. Her grandchildren, McKenna and Kamryn Brown, and Jaidyn and Aribella Marie Sizemore, all of whom she would tell you were the best gifts she had ever received. She is also survived by her sister Janice (Ken) Kennedy, and brother Bobby, as well as 2 nephews and 2 nieces. She was predeceased by her husband Jimmy, parents Robert and Joan, sister-in-law Mary, and niece Amanda.

In keeping with Donna’s wishes, there will be no formal service. Rather, her family asks that you please spread a random act of kindness and share a smile with a stranger.

We will miss her immensely.

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.

- David Harkins