On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Donna Margaret Hooper, aged 52 years, passed away with peace and grace with her family at her side. Donna will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Robert Dodds of 21 years and their dear children, Peter and Emily; her mother, Margaret (Pat) Hooper; her sister, Susan; and her brother, Glenn (Rachel) Hooper. Donna will also be forever remembered by her nieces, nephews and extended family and dear friends.
Donna was born in Calgary, Alberta on January 30th, 1964 and was educated at Queen Elizabeth Elementary, Junior and Senior Schools from 1970-1982 where she was the Valedictorian. She graduated from the Foothills Hospital Nursing School in June 1986 and later received her Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing from the University of Alberta. Having spent some time traveling around northern Alberta, Donna felt the urge for more and joined the Canadian Forces in 1987 as a Nursing Officer. Her postings included Gagetown, New Brunswick and Edmonton Alberta. The highlight of her military career was her deployment to Saudi Arabia in 1991 as part of the Canadian Field Hospital during the Persian Gulf War.
Prior to her illness, Donna was employed as a Team Leader/Case Manager for the Canadian Forces Health Service Centre (Pacific) in Victoria, British Columbia where she was instrumental in easing the transition of many service members releasing from the military.
Donna was a big fan of Facebook which allowed her the opportunity to stay connected with family and friends across Canada. She was always up for a good chat and ready to lend a hand when needed, a good friend and mother who will be deeply missed.
Thank you to Doctors Braithwaite, Belgaumkar and Saiger for their compassionate care as well as the amazing nurses at the Victoria Hospice. Also, thanks to the great caregivers of the Sidney Seniors Care.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 17 at 1:00 p.m., at the Naden Wardroom, CFB Esquimalt, Victoria, BC.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial tribute in memory of Donna may be made directly to the Victoria Hospice, Canadian Red Cross or the Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall’s Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
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Cait
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Beverly I knew Donna through her work at Veterans Affairs Canada and CFB Esquimalt. She was committed to providing the best care and support to her clients. My thoughts are with Rob, Peter, and Emily who she cherished.
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Dawn Hooper I offer my condolences to Rob and her children. I wish I could have gotten to know my sister better. What I do know is that she loved her family, friends and was loved back by the same.
We were sisters yet were strangers to each other, yet also had similarities. Our initials being the most prominent. I will miss the friendship we were forming.
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Cec and Ross Waters Dear Rob and Family.
It was with great sadness to hear of Donna’s passing. Donna was a very passionate and committed person to her friends, family colleagues and clients. She will be dearly missed by many.
Our sincere condolences to you all.
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Nancy Arbour Dearest Rob, Peter and Emily,
My deepest heartfelt condolences to all of you on your loss.
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Jan James To Rob, Peter and Emily, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to you all at the loss of Donna your loving wife and mother. She was an exceptional woman and I will always remember her strength, commitment and intelligence. Sincerely, Janet James
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Kirsten MacFadyen My deepest condolences to your family. The news of Donna’s passing saddened me greatly. She was the kindest, most compassionate and generous person I knew. I had the distinct pleasure to work with her for several years and am the better for it. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
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Marlene & Peter Schoell Our deepest condolences are sent to the Dodd and Hooper families. We may not have known Donna personally yet, through Susan and her mother, Pat, we know of her indomitable spirit. She will be deeply missed by all who loved her. May fond memories of Donna bring comfort to you during this difficult time of sorrow.
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Joanne Steinmetz/David Logie Rob:
David and I extend our sincerest condolences to you, your two children and your extended family. I cannot begin to express how helpless I feel at trying to understand how and why Donna passed away. She was a stalwart advocate for others and colleague to me, a loyal friend and one of the loveliest human beings I had the privilege of knowing. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
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John and Seona Stephen Dear Rob, Peter and Emily:
It was with immense sorrow that we learned of Donna’s passing. We remember Donna for her compassion that she displayed when helping Seona with her recent chemotherapy journey. Seona is forever grateful for Donna’s offer to help by administering her injections, the first of which Donna performed only two weeks prior to her diagnosis. As neighbours, should you need any assistance or support, please don’t hesitate to call us. We hold each of you in our prayers and may you find strength in the memories of everlasting love.
John and Seona Stephen.
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Mary-Ellen Clark Rob and family: Donna was an exceptional human being and a remarkable officer in our Canadian Armed Forces. I remember Donna’s professionalism every time we had contact in my role as Commanding Officer of MARPAC/JTFP Headquarters and I recall on many occasions the accolades that my staff offered regarding Donna’s expertise and compassion for those serving, and especially for those ill and injured members of our Forces who needed advocacy: Donna offered that ‘voice’ for those who could not articulate their needs. She set the standard high in serving others before self, for which we are eternally grateful.
Beyond Donna’s unwavering service to Canada, she is above all a wife, mom, daughter and friend to those who know her. I stand with your family and friends in tremendous sorrow over your loss and will hold you and the family up in prayer and in my thoughts. Hold on to each other and remain strong,
Mary-Ellen
Mary-Ellen Clark Captain(N) (Retired)
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Tammy-Lou The beautiful heart and soul of someone that touches another is a blessed gift that can never be forgotten. Sending all who have been touched, lots of healing and love.
There will be times that you get an overwhelming feeling that blankets your heart with sobs and tears flowing relentlessly, and your initial reaction is to want this feeling to go away…but it is within these moments of grief that your loved one is hugging you, so instead of wishing it away…embrace these moments of love.
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Susan Hooper “A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”
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Margaret P. Hooper Rob, Peter and Emily: If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring Donna home again.
MUDDER-IN-LAW/GRAMMA PADDY
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Joy and Doug Holt Donna will always be in our hearts and we will miss her dearly. She was the sweetest, kindest, funniest, smartest, and passionate woman we have ever met. She was a dear friend and college and was selfless in her life’s endeavours. She was a great mother to her children Miss Em and Peter; and a wonderful wife to Rob. We will miss her always and always. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Hélène Ouellet, Anna Bottiglia, Elaine Somers Dear Rob, Peter and Emily,
On behalf of the National Case Management Program,Hélène, Anna and Elaine wish to extend our sincere condolences. Donna will be missed. As our Team Leader in the west, Donna dedicated her professional life to improving nurse case management practices and the quality of care we provide to our Military Members. She never gave less than 200% of herself. But more than that, what we will remember most is the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about her family. Her pride was remarkable as was her humility in this regard. We are very sorry for your loss.
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Capt(N) Marie France Langlois Dear Rob, it is with great regret that we have learned of Donna’s passing. On behalf of the Joint Personnel Support Unit team members, please accept our deepest condolences. Donna will be missed as she was a key member of our organisation. Her compassion and support to the ill and injured members was commendable. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult period.
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Leslie Reece This is such sad news. Donna gave so much of herself, she was very compassionate and deeply caring. When my late husband was diagnosed with Mesothelioma while still in the Navy, she was there for us, every step of the way. She was instrumental in my husband’s care, and supported us through this very difficult time. Even afterwords she was there for me, words of encouragement, and hugs. I can not thank her enough for what she did for us and many others.
Donna was a very special person, she was one of God’s Angels. Rest in peace sweet lady.
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Bruce So very sorry to see this. Donna was outstanding in every aspect. I truly respected her and offer my most deepest of condolences.
Bruce Stauffer
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Rob White Our condolences. Donna was very helpful during my transition out of the Forces and I will alway remember her empathy and commitment. Thank you Donna.
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Andrew McClure Rob, we were saddened to learn of Donna’s passing. Our sympathy goes out to you and Peter and Emily
With our love to each of you, Uncle Andrew & Aunt Eleanor
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Reg and Karen Copithorne Rob and family, we were so sorry to hear about Donna. Our heartfelt thoughts are with you.
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Heather and Dave Mate and family Our heartfelt condolences to Rob, Peter and Emily. Donna made the world a better place.
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Carol McClintock Rob, Peter & Emily
Sincerest condolences to all of you. May you find strength in each other.
Carol & Jack
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Melanie Stewart (Ret'd Major) Dear Rob & family,
I want you to know how grateful I feel to have been Donna’s friend throughout the years. Ken & I actually met Donna in Edmonton prior to Rob becoming the “love of her life”. I have so many great memories of Donna. My absolute favourite was at her wedding to Rob. At the end of the traditional speeches,Donna stood up and proceeded to clarify that although her husband Rob was a 2PPCLI Infantry Officer, trained to fight in combat, she was the one who actually went to war not him. Donna’s oration was an awesome sight to behold and the reaction on the faces of the many member’s from 2PPCLI was priceless. We were fortunate to be living in Winnipeg when Peter was born and then again when Emily was born. Over the years, life’s milestones and visits were captured in photos and shared by all. So it is with great sorrow that I must acknowledge that my good friend Donna has passed. We will miss her dearly. I do believe Donna’s spirit will walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Rob, Emily, Peter, we look forward to your next visit with us. May you and your family members find comfort in knowing our deepest sympathy is with all of you. Love Melanie (Ret’d Major) and Ken Stewart of Winnipeg, MB
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Debra Little Donna and I served together in the Gulf War and we discussed some of life’s big questions. She wasn’t sure she would find the right guy to marry, but if she did, she would marry him and have a boy, then a girl. Rob, Peter and Emily, you were her dream come to life. My deepest condolences to your family.
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Kathleen Steeves I am so sorry that this wonderful spirit has passed from our world. My deepest condolences to her family.
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Larry Clausen I was very sad to see of Donna’s passing. She had so much life ahead that should have been hers. I have reflect fondly to our past. Pat, Susan and Glenn may you be at peace with fond memories of Donna.
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Caroline Horsburgh My deepest condolences on the loss of your wife, mother, daughter and friend. I am glad I knew Donna and I shall never forget her. Good memories of Donna are a wonderful legacy.
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Julie Cetinski May the memories of Donna stay in our hearts forever. Words cannot express my sorrow. my thoughts are with your family during this difficult time.
I unfortunately only knew Donna a short while. She was my case manager. I was about four months pregnant when we first met. My release item was uncertain, whether medical or another item. I went into her office not knowing what to expect and scared for my future baby. From the moment I met her she was so supportive and compassionate. She told me with tears in her eyes she believed everything would work out for me and I would be ok. She found details in my medical file which eventually lead to a full medical release which was favoured in my case. She helped me, which by helped, I mean went through my medical file line by line which lead to 2 veterans affairs claims which I never knew I could do. Without this woman’s support and assistance, I would not be in a good place. For many weeks after I found out I got a medical release I would check in at her work. No one would tell me what was going on and where she was and I finally found out what happened. My heart sank. I wanted to share my good news with her but I couldn’t. In the short time I knew this women she made a huge life changing impact in my life. she was a one in a million, ten million. My condolences to her family. Thank u Donna. Thank u for your kind words and hey, u were right. Everything turned out ok. I have a healthy baby boy and am beyond happy. xo