Donna Haney (née Stauffer)
March 18, 1945 – May 13, 2024

Donna Rosanne Haney, 79, a beloved wife, mother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2024, surrounded by her family after a 19-month long battle with lung cancer. Donna is predeceased by her parents, Allan and Hazelle Stauffer, and is survived by her husband Norman Haney, her two daughters, Susanne Haney and Brenda Gilray (Jim), and her one granddaughter, Sarah Gilray (Liam).

Early Years and Adventures Donna was born on March 18, 1945, to Allan Ernfred Stauffer and Hazelle Sebly Stauffer (nee Lewis) in Castor, Alberta.

From an early age, and as an only child, Donna exhibited her spirited nature. She once playfully locked her grandfather in the chicken coop, leaving him laughing and bewildered. She also developed a love for horseback riding, spending countless hours exploring the countryside on her favorite horse and companion, Bonny.

Education and Marriage Donna graduated from Castor High School in 1963.  That same summer, she enrolled in and completed a key secretarial course in Red Deer, after which she started working at the Bank of Montreal in Castor where her curiosity and determination shone. On June 5, 1965, she married Norman Haney, embarking on a lifelong journey together. Their love and partnership would shape their remarkable lives.

Life in Stettler and Calgary The couple lived in Stettler until September 1973 when they decided to make Calgary their new home. Donna soon found a job as a bookkeeper at a small accounting firm that was later bought out by Anchor Accounting and was a highly valued employee.  At the same time, Donna enrolled their daughters in the Anne A. Lawrence School of Dance. It was during this time that she met her lifelong friend, Pat Kasper. Together they sewed well over a hundred dance costumes, with lots of laughter along the way, ensuring their daughters were always prepared for competitions.

Sports and Community Involvement In the late 1970s, Norman and Donna joined the Telecommunications Curling group. Norm became the scorekeeper, while Donna took on the role of treasurer. Their shared love for sports continued when they joined the Rocky Mountain Amateur Golf Association (RMAGA) in the mid-1980s. Throughout the summer months, they golfed across Alberta and lower British Columbia. Donna’s meticulous attention to detail made her an exceptional treasurer for RMAGA. During one of their winters down in Phoenix, they were introduced to a new game called “pickle ball”.  She instantly fell in love with the game and proceeded to search out opportunities in Red Deer.  She was involved in the early stages of the board that was tasked with finding a large pickle ball venue and eventually went on to play a couple times each week in Red Deer and Blackfalds together with her husband.  It was a real passion of hers in the warmer months, and then during the colder months she was an avid curler at the Red Deer Curling Club.

Red Deer Years In 2004, the couple moved to Red Deer, settling into the gated community of Devonshire Villas. Donna actively participated in community life, serving as a director on the board and taking on the cherished role of treasurer. Her dedication and financial acumen left a lasting impact on the community.

Wanderlust and Adventure Donna’s love for travel knew no bounds. She embarked on two cross-Canada trips, relishing the beauty of the countryside. River cruises allowed her to explore new horizons, and in 2011, she began spending winters in Phoenix, Arizona. Living in Apache Junction at Bonita Vista Trailer Court, she took on the role of Tuesday night dance coordinator, with Norm joining the board alongside her.

Donna Haney’s legacy lives on through her family, friends, and the communities she touched. Her warm smile, unwavering kindness, and solid determination will forever be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Red Deer Hospice Society in Donna’s memory.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Castor Cemetery. All are welcome to attend and share their memories of this remarkable woman.

Rest in peace, dear Donna. Your spirit dances on. 🌟🕊️

• Date : 2024-05-13
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home