Embraced in a Circle of Love extending across Canada, Donna June (Hallan) Howell passed away peacefully at Outlook Health Centre’s Palliative Care Unit on May 18, 2024. Donna lived her past year with cancer, embodying grace, and acceptance. To the very end, she continued to teach us many lessons in living well. “Laughter, not tears."

Born in Outlook on June 28, 1937, Donna attended school and graduated in Conquest while the Hallan family lived at Denny. She continued her education in Saskatoon at Robertson’s Secretarial College. Then she met Floyd and has always said her life changed in an instant. They married on June 21, 1958, and their lifelong love affair has been an example and guidepost for all. Donna is the glue that has kept the immediate and extended families together. After devoting her time exclusively to raising a family, and a move from Cutback to Outlook, Donna returned to the workforce in the Sask Water Corp office, bravely meeting the advent of the computer age head-on. After retirement, she and Floyd enjoyed traveling and the fruits of their amazing garden and yard. The past year was spent loving and enjoying visits from their family and friends.

Donna is survived by Floyd, her devoted husband of more than 65 years; their ever loved children Linda Howell (Gordon Sanders), Blair (Debbie) Howell, and Stacy Howell (Brent Mavin); their treasured grandchildren Kelly (Sarah) Brewer, Anita (Steve) Rasimas, Ross Howell (Brandi McQuaig), Christine (Kirk) Wolstenholme, Ellen (Alex) Kirkpatrick, Scott Brewer (Jennifer Larson), Amy Mavin and recent step-grandson Ryan Sanders (Timothy Chan); their cherished great-granddaughters Anna and Lily Brewer, Marli Wolstenholme, and Emma Kirkpatrick; her dear siblings Eugene “Curly” Hallan, Sylvia (Cecil) Olsen, Judy (Jim) Anderson, and sister-in-law Irene Makarenko; and their beloved nieces and nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins and friends.

Donna is predeceased by her parents, Harold and Hazel Hallan, parents-in-law Ted and Ethel Howell, niece Brenda Olsen Euteneier, sister-in-law Shirley (and Don) McKercher, and brother-in-law Paul Makarenko.

Immense thanks to Dr. Mynhardt for his thoughtful ongoing care, and to Outlook’s home care staff for their diligent attention over the past year. Also, thanks to the compassionate nursing staff at the palliative care unit at Outlook Health Centre and the paramedic transport pair who gave Donna her last grand tour of their lovely yard and gardens.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Outlook and District Health Foundation, the Parkinson Foundation of Alberta, the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, or a local charity of your choice.

A service will be held to celebrate Donna at St. Andrew’s United Church in Outlook, Sask, on Tuesday, May 28, at 11:00 am, with lunch and interment to follow at Fertile Valley Cemetery, Conquest, Saskatchewan.