Alene 'Bik' Donovan, RN
Lieu de naissance : New Waterford, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Lieu de décès : Halifax, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
Date de décès : 15 octobre 2011
Alene ‘Bik’ Donovan, RN, 59, of Halifax, N.S., passed away peacefully in the VG hospital on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, with her husband Brian and her family at her side.
Born in New Waterford, N.S., 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, N.B., and Evelyn Morrison, New Victoria, N.S.; and brothers, William (Willie) Delaney, New Waterford, N.S., and Gary Delaney, South Surrey, B.C.
Bik is survived by her loving husband Brian with whom she shared close to 24 years of wonderful marriage.
She is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews and 13 grandnieces 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 births.
Alene attended St. Francis Xavier University initially studying science and transitioned to St. Martha’s School of Nursing in Antigonish, N.S. 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.
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 Road, 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 Centre, the VON, palliative care specialist Dr. Jeff Dempster and his colleagues along with all the wonderful staff of 7A palliative care unit, VG site, QE II, 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 Dr., B3S-0E1, in Halifax on Friday, Oct. 21 from 3-9 p.m. Funeral mass is to be held at St. Theresa’s Roman Catholic Church, 6351 North St., B3L-1P7, Halifax on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at 11 a.m. Monsignor Brian Sheehan officiating, assisted by Bishop James Hayes. Interment 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 St., Suite 1-040 Centennial Building, Halifax, N.S., B3H-2Y9, followed by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, c/o Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, 6351 North St., Halifax, N.S, B3L-1P7, the CNIB or charities of your choice.
Online condolences maybe made at www.jasnowfuneralhome.com.
