Obituary of Donna Mary Armstrong

Donna Mary Armstrong (nee Nickle) Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul. And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all. (Emily Dickinson) Donna passed away with quiet grace and never-ending hope on Tuesday, April 28, 2009, in her 74th year. Ken , her beloved, stood with her ensuring her care at Parkwood Hospital. Donna’s children, Susan, Sheryl, and Shawn respected their mother’s wishes, continuing in their work while visiting and assisting as they could. They are all thankful for the exceptional care provided by Grace from We Care, and the nurses, doctors, staff, and volunteers of Parkwood Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (Adult Oncology), and the London Regional Cancer Program throughout Donna’s illness. Each of Donna’s grandchildren was special to her: Jonathan—her little prince—and James—her Christmas angel, children of Susan and Richard Young. Elissa—little Lissy Loo—and Noah—Noey, children of Sheryl and Reza Rastegar. Kaitlyn—her precious princess—and Kyle—Kylie, children of Shawn Armstrong and Margaret Virani. Donna’s sister, Margaret Nickle, and brother, Ron Nickle, provided love and never-ending devotion to her along with special friends, Jill Rutledge and Joyce Petch. Donna was loved by her extended family, especially brother Jack (deceased); sisters-in-law Shirley Nickle, Barbara Christie, and Joan Nickle; brothers-in-law Raymond Kinsella and Bill Christie (deceased). Donna leaves nieces and nephews Paul and Blair Christie, Brad and Celeste Nickle, Michael Robson, Allison Seguin, James Robson, and Geoff and Lisa Nickle. Her mother-in-law, Opal Armstrong mourns Donna’s death and will miss her “second daughter.” She was pre-deceased by her mother and father, Kathleen and Charles Nickle. Donna gathered special friends around her wherever she went. Her kindness, grace, beauty, and loyalty attracted many to her and she cherished each friend. Donna was a retired educator, humble and hard working. She always worked, first to support her children, and then to support the children in her classrooms before becoming a Primary (later Primary-Junior) Consultant for the London Board of Education in 1981. Donna was considered a master teacher by colleagues, especially in the areas of language arts and mathematics. She also loved working with new teachers, writing and editing curriculum, designing classroom furnishings, and finding and delivering materials for classroom libraries and early math programs. Donna loved children, always. Donna always insisted that whatever environment she was in—home, classroom, or hall--was welcoming for others with special decorations and lots of food for family, guests, and participants. Donna’s reputation for artistic detail and hard work was well known and others sought her out to assist with retirement parties, meetings, and other special occasion functions. Donna was known for her fashion sense and her love of shoes. Donna’s friend and colleague, Lynda, reports that Donna “always looked gorgeous in her lovely outfits and high heel shoes. When her feet got sore, she was still beautiful in her fashion stockings, only now she could run faster!” This was our mother, our sister, our daughter, our grandma, our friend, our wife. We will love her for all time. A service in celebration of Donna Mary Armstrong’s life will be held at Stoney Creek Baptist Church, 2225 Highbury Ave. N. (north of Fanshawe Park Road) in London on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Visitation from 10-11 a.m. Service at 11 a.m. Reception immediately following at the church. Donations to the Children’s Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, or to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, would be appreciated in acknowledgement of Donna’s love of children and her enduring hope. Logan Funeral Home, 371 Dundas St., in charge of arrangements. 519-433-6181 Online condolences can be expressed at www.loganfh.ca Services: Service Date Saturday, May 2, 2009