Obituary for Donna May Nielsen
Donna May Nielsen
March 17, 1961 – November 18, 2022
Donna May Nielsen was born March 17, 1961 in Calgary, Alberta and died at home, peacefully in her sleep on November 18, 2022. She is survived by her loving sister Shirley Wayte (Ron). She is also survived by brother-in-law Michael Carlile, nephew Christopher Carlile (Alexandra), and nephew Richard Wayte. She was predeceased by her parents Elvin Peter Nielsen and Jean Nielsen, her sister Carol Jean Nielsen, her longtime partner Curtis Edwards, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Donna began her life in the Ramsay area of Calgary before the family moved to their forever home in Westgate when she was two. She attended Westgate Elementary School, Vincent Massey Junior High School, and Ernest Manning High School, graduating in 1979 and having made many lifelong friends along the way.
While still very young, Donna expressed an interest in music and soon began learning to play the accordion. After several years of perfecting her accordion skills Donna moved into learning to play the organ and began teaching music when she was in her early teen years, expanding beyond accordion and organ into keyboards and piano. For a short period of time, she joined a band and played keyboards and sang at some of Calgary’s local night spots, but she very much preferred to teach rather than perform. During her life, Donna held many different jobs but ultimately, music was her first love and she continued to teach on a part-time basis. She used to call it “her sanity”.
Donna also had a love of animals and owned several cats and dogs throughout her life. She loved to get together with her friends for boisterous game nights and was also a “foodie” who enjoyed trying new recipes and experimenting with different flavors in the kitchen.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, February 26th at 1:30 pm for a Celebration of Life at Forest Heights Community Center – 4909 Forego Avenue SE, Calgary.
Donations can be made to the MEOW Foundation – Calgary Cat Rescue - to honor Donna’s love of cats.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Donna please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
March 17, 1961 – November 18, 2022
Donna May Nielsen was born March 17, 1961 in Calgary, Alberta and died at home, peacefully in her sleep on November 18, 2022. She is survived by her loving sister Shirley Wayte (Ron). She is also survived by brother-in-law Michael Carlile, nephew Christopher Carlile (Alexandra), and nephew Richard Wayte. She was predeceased by her parents Elvin Peter Nielsen and Jean Nielsen, her sister Carol Jean Nielsen, her longtime partner Curtis Edwards, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Donna began her life in the Ramsay area of Calgary before the family moved to their forever home in Westgate when she was two. She attended Westgate Elementary School, Vincent Massey Junior High School, and Ernest Manning High School, graduating in 1979 and having made many lifelong friends along the way.
While still very young, Donna expressed an interest in music and soon began learning to play the accordion. After several years of perfecting her accordion skills Donna moved into learning to play the organ and began teaching music when she was in her early teen years, expanding beyond accordion and organ into keyboards and piano. For a short period of time, she joined a band and played keyboards and sang at some of Calgary’s local night spots, but she very much preferred to teach rather than perform. During her life, Donna held many different jobs but ultimately, music was her first love and she continued to teach on a part-time basis. She used to call it “her sanity”.
Donna also had a love of animals and owned several cats and dogs throughout her life. She loved to get together with her friends for boisterous game nights and was also a “foodie” who enjoyed trying new recipes and experimenting with different flavors in the kitchen.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, February 26th at 1:30 pm for a Celebration of Life at Forest Heights Community Center – 4909 Forego Avenue SE, Calgary.
Donations can be made to the MEOW Foundation – Calgary Cat Rescue - to honor Donna’s love of cats.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Donna please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.