Obituary of Colleen Donovan, Glace Bay

Auntie Colleen passed away unexpectedly at her residence in the early morning hours of April 29th, 2022. She was born in Glace Bay on June 9, 1950. Colleen grew up on 7th St in New Aberdeen and lived there for most of her life until recently when she moved to Wallace Rd. She attended St. John School before graduating from St. Michael’s. She had fond memories of working at the General Instruments factory in Sydney. However, her true calling was found volunteering and then eventually working in the dietary department at Victoria Haven Nursing Home. At Victoria Haven, Colleen could be seen all hours of the day delivering meals. Keeping everybody nourished was only half of the job for Colleen. Her gift for making people feel loved and cared for was one of the special talents that those who knew Colleen will cherish forever. That being said, Colleen's favourite job and where she really shone was being an “Aunt”. For almost 50 years, three generations of nieces and nephews were blessed to have Colleen in their lives. Aunt doesn’t quite convey the nature of the relationship she had with all of her kids over the years. She treated them all as her own and spoiled them accordingly. The Christmas boxes Colleen prepared each year have become the stuff of legends. She kept everyone in the loop with her uncanny ability to know the tiniest details of everybody's daily schedule. Those weekly, or daily (or twice daily) phone calls will be missed. Colleen was predeceased by her parents, Colin and Eileen (Penney) Donovan. She is survived by siblings, Wayne, Reg (Ewa) and Brenda (Michael-Deceased), as well as heartbroken nieces and nephews, Terry (Carol), Susan (Glenn), Colin and Sarah, her beloved grandniece Melia and grandnephews, Michael, Luke and Ryan. Colleen was never one for pomp and circumstance so as per her wishes there will be no visitation or funeral. Cremation has taken place. Graveside committal prayers will be held on Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 at 11 a.m. in St. John’s Cemetery, Wallace Road, Glace Bay with Fr. Duaine Devereaux presiding. All are welcome. Memorial donations in memory of Colleen may be made to Victoria Haven Nursing Home, Glace Bay. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca Funeral arrangements entrusted to V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, Glace Bay.