DONOVAN, ALENE "BIK" - "Always be Kind" - Alene "Bik" Donovan RN, 59, of Halifax, NS, passed away peacefully in the VG hospital on Saturday the 15th of October with her husband Brian (Ed) and her family at her side. 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 (Ed) with whom she shared close to 24 years of wonderful marriage. 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. 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. 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.
Cremation has taken place. Visitations will be held at the J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive B3S-0E1 in 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. Online condolences maybe made at: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.